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3 players going home from Playoffs the Orlando Magic should target

ByLuke Duffy|
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 07: Yuta Watanabe #18 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during player introductions before the game against the Orlando Magic at Barclays Center on April 07, 2023 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)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 07: Yuta Watanabe #18 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during player introductions before the game against the Orlando Magic at Barclays Center on April 07, 2023 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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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 01: Gary Harris of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket past Pat Connaughton of the Milwaukee Bucks. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 01: Gary Harris of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket past Pat Connaughton of the Milwaukee Bucks. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

3 eliminated players the Orlando Magic should eyeing

3. Pat Connaughton, Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks had the most surprising early playoff exit in recent memory on Wednesday night, becoming only the sixth team in NBA history to lose in the first round to an 8-seed. Worse still, they became the first team to lose to a team that qualified for the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament.

Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was as animated as anybody has ever seen him during the postgame press conference. And you can be sure changes are coming for the Bucks this summer. after they fell in the first round despite posting the league’s best record.

Pat Connaughton is one such player who may be squeezed out.

During the series against the Miami Heat, he found himself on the fringes of the rotation seeing the court for just 88 minutes total.

If Connaughton is not deemed up to it for the Bucks when the going gets tough, why then would the Magic want him?

At 31 years old, Connaughton is making roughly $9 million for the next two seasons (the second year is a player option). As a shooting guard, he could also fill the only spot, both as a starter or off the bench, that appears open on the Magic’s roster right now.

Gary Harris is still on the team, but Pat Connaughton would represent a cheaper alternative who has won a championship and at his best can average nearly 40 percent from 3-point range for a season.

This is not a seismic move, but we are not here to talk about trying to acquire a Luka Doncic-type player. The Magic may not be ready to push all their chips in. They are more likely to look to add quality depth to support their growing young core.

Connaughton would help around the fringes, with the Magic ranking 26th in offensive rating (111.3 points per 100 possessions) and 24th in 3-point shooting (34.6 percent) during the regular season.

Connaughton would be a solid spacer and role player who can give the team some needed postseason experience and calm as they attack their next steps.