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5 potential free agent targets with ties to Orlando Magic

By Luke Duffy

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MARCH 15: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets controls the ball against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on March 15, 2022 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 Mark Brown/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MARCH 15: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets controls the ball against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on March 15, 2022 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 Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 19: Austin Rivers of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 19: Austin Rivers of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

5 potential free agent targets with ties to Orlando Magic

4. Austin Rivers

The link between Austin Rivers and the Orlando Magic is twofold, and it is something that most fans are already aware of.

His father and current Philadelphia 76ers head coach (for now…) Doc Rivers, got his start as a coach with the Magic. He was the lead coach there for four seasons, between 1999-2003.

His son was the top-rated high school player in the country back in 2011 when he attended Winter Park High School in Florida, and at only 30 years old the younger Rivers will feel like he still has something to offer a team in the league.

Rivers is coming off a stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves in which he is best remembered for what he did without the ball in his hands. It was earlier in the regular season that he and former Magic player Mo Bamba got into it, leading to the kind of ugly scenes that have no place in the game.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1621705740787535874

Rivers allegedly shouted he runs Orlando as that scene concluded.

Bamba is now with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Rivers was at his best all those years ago when he was in Florida. The Magic could do with a bit more bite and tenacity to the group, while also looking at cheap ways to ensure they can get a scoring boost off the bench next season.

Rivers would tick both of those boxes, and he could rebuild the final phase of his career with the Magic. He may have bounced around the league plenty, but at this stage Rivers is just looking for a chance to extend his career. Interest in his services is at a minimum, so the Magic should look into seeing just how feasible it would be to bring Rivers back to Florida.