10 Worst free agent signings in Orlando Magic history

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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 01: Al-Farouq Aminu #2 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks at Amway Center on March 1, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

The 10 worst free agent signings in Orlando Magic history

5. Al-Farouq Aminu

3 years, $29.2 million in 2019

The most recent transaction to make this list, the signing of Al-Farouq Aminu came in the wild 2019 free agency period when teams were handing out money like lollipops at a doctor’s office.

That resulted in Orlando giving Aminu nearly $30 million to play 35 games for the franchise.

Aminu was a starter for most of the four years he spent with the Portland Trail Blazers prior to signing with Orlando. He was never spectacular, but he was solid and the four-year, $30-million deal he played on felt palatable for that franchise.

The Magic were coming off the 2019 Playoffs when Pascal Siakam feasted on their lack of size off the bench when the team took Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon out and put Terrence Ross in at forward. There was at least some logic to the move.

So Orlando went ahead and gave him a three-year contract for $29.2 million.

But Aminu struggled to adapt to his new team almost immediately. That became more troublesome when he tore a meniscus and missed most of the 2020 season. Throwing in Isaac’s devastating knee injury that season (the first one of many), the Magic were suddenly smaller than ever.

After a long absence, Aminu finally returned to the court as a starter. He looked slightly better than he had the previous season, but it had already become clear Aminu was not going to be able to live up to his contract or be a long-term contributor in Orlando.

Aminu could be considered the “other” player in the deal that sent Nikola Vucevic to the Chicago Bulls in 2021, netting Orlando Wendell Carter, Otto Porter and a couple of draft picks. Aminu played six games for the Bulls and has not been in the NBA since.