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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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Max Strus, Miami Heat
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 17: Max Strus #31 of the Miami Heat looks on against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on December 17, 2021 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

5 free agents the Orlando Magic could target

Sharpshooters: Max Strus, Miami Heat

The Orlando Magic seemingly solved most of their perimeter shooting needs by drafting Jett Howard. There just is not a lot of room on the roster for more perimeter shooting.

There is already a feared logjam at the guard spots. And the only way for Jett Howard and Anthony Black to play might be for them to spill over into the small forward rotation.

The Magic are not against this of course. They are moving toward true positionlessness where everyone is big, tall and long and capable of making plays on the ball. Their ability to play all three wing positions is a feature not a bug.

Still, everyone acknowledges the Magic’s biggest need remains shooting. Orlando needs more shooters to spread the floor. And at this point, everything the Magic should be doing should be focused on making Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner’s lives as easy as possible.

This year’s roster should not matter so much as setting up the roster for its future should be. The team is not fully in win-now mode — even if winning is quickly becoming more important.

So Orlando probably should not turn down shooting if the team can find it.

Before the draft, the Magic were connected to Miami Heat forward Max Strus in free agency.

Strus had a breakout season last year, averaging 11.5 points per game while shooting 35.0 percent from deep on 7.0 3-point attempts per game. He shot 36.1 percent on catch-and-shoot opportunities according to Second Spectrum, taking 6.0 catch-and-shoot 3-point attempts per game.

That would give the Magic a forward who is a volume 3-point shooter who will hit open threes when the ball swings around to him.

The question is whether the Magic would get the most out of him though. The Magic averaged 23.3 catch-and-shoot 3-pointers per game all season. Their leader on that front was Gary Harris, who shot 42.8 percent on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers but only took 3.9 per game.

While Orlando needs more shooting, a lot of what the team can do better is getting more of the shooters the team already has. Especially if Harris can duplicate his season from last year (with a bit more help).

The draft picks make adding a wing shooter a little less urgent. So perhaps the smoke pointing toward Strus has died down.

If Strus is not the target, they could look at Caris LeVert or Jordan Clarkson on the high end or Kelly Oubre Jr., Alec Burks, Bruce Brown or Joe Ingles on the more moderate end.