Seven players the Orlando Magic gave up on too soon

7 players the Orlando Magic gave up on too soon

By Luke Duffy | Mar 21, 2023

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 13: U.S. Team's Elfrid Payton #4 of the Orlando Magic reacts with U.S. Team's Victor Oladipo #5 of the Orlando Magic during the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of the 2015 NBA Allstar Weekend at the Barclays Center on February 13, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /

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MIAMI, FL – JUNE 12: DeShawn Stevenson of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2011 NBA Finals. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

7 players the Orlando Magic gave up on too soon

4. DeShawn Stevenson

One of the best examples of players the Orlando Magic gave up on too soon, DeShawn Stevenson was the right player who was on the roster just before he was truly required.

Stevenson played 163 games for the Magic, and after two seasons opted to forgo the final year of his deal to sign for the Washington Wizards. He was 24 years old at the time.

This was 2006, and only three years later the Magic would be losing in the NBA Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Adding another layer here, Stevenson himself would go on to be an underrated defensive cog for the Dallas Mavericks, as they got over the hump in 2011 by beating the Miami Heat.

Were the Magic one player short in 2009, and was that player Stevenson? He was not quite what he would be in 2011, but there is no doubt he would have helped slow down Kobe Bryant.

If you take a look at his career earnings, there is little doubt the Magic could have afforded to keep him around to allow him to morph into the defensive difference-maker he would go on to become.

It is strange that the front office didn’t recognize what they had in Stevenson at the time.

Perhaps there were issues behind the scenes that would have made his departure inevitable. But the Magic were heading towards contention when he left, and Stevenson 100% would have helped.