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Orlando Magic 2023 Offseason Needs: Forward depth could be the missing piece

By Coby Leibowitz

Apr 9, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Danny Green (14) shoots in the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Danny Green (14) shoots in the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Orlando Magic drafting two guards in this year’s NBA draft, they have one main focus this offseason: Getting forward depth.

Although rookie Jett Howard is 6-foot-8, he primarily plays guard. Anthony Black too is listed at 6-foot-7 and could see some minutes at the 3 in three-guard lineups. Even if they do get some run at the forward spot, there has to be more depth to account for rookie struggles, injuries, and roster flexibility.

As of now the only forwards on the roster are Paolo Banchero, Jonathan Isaac, Chuma Okeke, Admiral Schofield and Franz Wagner.

With Isaac only playing 11 games in three years and Okeke and Schofield seemingly out of the rotation (Schofield is not likely to have his team option picked up), that leaves two reliable forwards that both start. Wagner also occasionally starts at the shooting guard when they run their big lineup so they absolutely lack reliable forward depth.

As the Orlando Magic aim to complete their roster and build depth, they should look to the forward spot first and foremost as one of their biggest needs.

The Magic need forwards who can space the floor and play defense. They have playmakers, scorers, shot creators and post presences, but they need shooters, perimeter defenders and paint protectors.

Luckily the Magic will have a bit of cap space to work with — somewhere a bit more than $23 million depending on other roster cuts — but they probably will not target any big names.

This allows them to be able to focus on signing solid forwards that will play their roles with the money they have left over after signing the rookies.

The Magic may even create more cap space by the time free agency starts as they have seven players with team options to think about, and they possibly might make trades or decide to move off of Jonathan Isaac.

The Magic could use some veterans in the building as well, especially with playoff experience. They need to be productive players, but also players that do not require the ball in their hands so the young core can continue to grow.

Here are three free agents that can give the Magic shooting, defense, leadership, and contributions to a playoff team.