2023 Orlando Magic Offseason Needs: Perimeter Sharpshooters
Isaiah Joe, Oklahoma City Thunder
Quentin Grimes, New York Knicks
Two 23-year-old guards who have an absolutely loaded clip to them. They are both flamethrowers from three who can light any team up on any given night. Mix one of them on a team that just dies for a catch and shoot sniper the offense immediately opens up for Wagner, Banchero and Fultz to have easier penetrative scoring.
Isaiah Joe of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots 70 percent at the rim (within three feet), 49 percent from the midrange (3-24 feet) and an astounding 41 percent from three with 48 percent from the corners.
With Joe entering the third year of his rookie contract, Oklahoma City, young and filled with picks already, would have to decide that it is in their best interests to get assets from trading Joe than keeping him. Their lineup already has a backcourt of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey and Luguentz Dort, so if the Orlando Magic can offer anything of interest they could be getting a very valuable player to accent Magic’s core.
To a lesser degree, Quentin Grimes has a shot from long distance. But even with that being said, he is shooting above league average at a scorching 39 percent from the long-distance line and 44 percent in the corners.
Having played with Julius Randle, RJ Barrett and now Jalen Brunson, Grimes’ shot diet consisted off of bail out threes and spray outs off double teams, it is easy to see that in a system where he is closer, (but not exactly) an equal threat to the others could continue his production with similar efficiency.
With his production having not the same potency along with the New York market always striving to find better and better options, the Knicks may look to move away from Grimes if the deal is right.
Though the Magic should consider taking the chance as his contract is nearly identical to Joe’s, if Orlando has a choice, it would be best to go for Isaiah first.