3. Do they go after a big name this summer?
The next disgruntled NBA star is never too far from making themselves known, and the Magic have put themselves in a prime position to be in any trade talks when they become available.
With their two lottery picks this season, all of their own picks going forward and players like Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Bol Bol, Gary Harris and even Jonathan Isaac to offer, the Magic are in a strong position to push their chips to the middle of the table.
If they do decide to do this, it is imperative they get the player, and what they give up, right. Talk of Trae Young in the past did not go down very well among fans. And Karl-Anthony Towns might not be it either.
But with Fred VanVleet the only other player the team has been heavily linked with as their free agency splash this summer, they need to dream bigger.
In hindsight, Donovan Mitchell was probably the player to go after, because we can see now how the rapid developments of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner would have meshed so well with Mitchell.
This 👇🏽
— 🇺🇸🇧🇸🇭🇹 Malik (🎶The 5-10 Freak🎶) (@MalikG) March 3, 2023
The Magic signing Fred VanVleet would be an overpay (because he's an UFA and this is Orlando) and a risk (because he's 29 and 6-1 and not a plus athlete with length)... but he's good, checks numerous boxes for the Magic & would help Paolo and Franz immensely... https://t.co/XZYI3rqRmi
Should the Magic elect not to make their big move this offseason, they also run the risk of missing their chance to take a big step forward. They will have to hand out a big contract to Cole Anthony that will kick in during the 2025 season. And they will have big contracts to give to Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs in the summer of 2025.
Orlando’s window with cap room is closing fast.
In adding another big player, and in adding two more lottery picks, their rotation will become more crowded than it already is when everybody is healthy.
The importance of the timing here cannot be underestimated.