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5 free agents the Orlando Magic should target in the 2023 offseason

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Nov 25, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) goes to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers forward Georges Niang (20) during the second half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) goes to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers forward Georges Niang (20) during the second half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /
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Grant Williams, Boston Celtics, Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Dec 18, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) drives to the basket while Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams (12) defends during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

5 free agents the Orlando Magic could target

The Stretch-4: Grant Williams, Boston Celtics (Restricted)

There may not be a free agent that is getting more buzz but who also might have a better chance of staying than Boston Celtics restricted free agent Grant Williams. Teams that want to sign him will have to thread a narrow needle of signing him to an affordable contract but not too affordable that the Celtics will not match.

The reward could be a good one with the best stretch-4 on the market.

Williams averaged 8.1 points per game and 4.6 assists per game in 25.9 minutes per game last year for the Celtics. He shot 39.5 percent from deep and is a career 37.9 percent from three.

More than that, Williams is a solid defender. The Celtics had a 109.0 defensive rating with Williams on the floor compared to a 110.6 defensive rating overall.

Despite Williams’ height — listed at 6-foot-6 — he has proven himself capable of defending players bigger and stronger than him. And despite his seeming size — he is listed at a weight of 236 pounds — he is quick enough to keep players in front of him.

He may not look like the typical Orlando Magic player, but he has all the versatility of position and skill the team likes.

And that is especially the shooting since that is something the Magic are still so desperate to find.

Jett Howard certainly helps fill some gaps in the Magic’s shooting. but the team should not feel like they are done seeking shooting. Getting a quality stretch-4 would be a big boost to the team.

Williams though will be tough to grab because he is a restricted free agent. There also appears to be a very robust market for his services that should only drive his price up — perhaps even to the nontaxpayer MLE at around $12 million per year.

If Williams is not the team’s stretch-4 option, the Magic could look at Georges Niang, P.J. Washington or Markieff Morris.