Orlando Magic 2023 Free Agency Day Power Rankings

Orlando Magic 2023 Free Agency Power Rankings

Once were dreams

A lot of fan bases have had a slight obsession with Austin Reaves. Maybe that is the Los Angeles Lakers bump or the playoff bump. But he stepped up in a big way, proving himself as a solid scorer (13.0 points per game), shooter (39.8 percent from deep), playmaker (3.4 assists per game) and attacker (4.1 free throw attempts per game).

How much of this is the Lakers bump? How much will translate to a new team? Who is to say?

The Lakers though seem very determined to bring him back even with the limited matching rights they have on him.

The other extremely popular wing prospect for Orlando Magic fans has been Denver Nuggets wing Bruce Brown. Brown stepped up huge in the NBA Finals especially displaying his defensive versatility and his 3-point shooting ability.

He is going to be making quite the payday despite his desire to stay with the Nuggets (they do not have the cap space or ability to meet those demands). And there are going to be a lot of title-contending teams — including the Los Angeles Lakers — who will be chasing hard after him.

Bruce Brown may suffer from the same fate as Jordan Hawkins’ draft stock with the Magic — he may just be smaller than what the Magic are looking for from the wing position. Even with what he has proven already.

The Orlando Magic always love to work quietly so that does not always make it clear who they are targeting. And whether they are chasing some bigger fish.

For that reason, I am kind of surprised there are not at least a few people suggesting the Magic could be a player for Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert.

LeVert averaged 12.1 points per game on 39.2-percent shooting from deep last year. That was down from a breakout 2022 season. But he is still viewed as a solid defender and good floor spacer with some creation. The Cavaliers are expecting to pay $15-$18 million to keep him and the Detroit Pistons (of course) and Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to chase after him.

If the Magic are looking to upgrade off of Gary Harris but still keep a veteran shooter in their mix, then Caris LeVert would be a target for me. They certainly have the money to offer him if that is what it takes.

There are no rumors connecting the Magic to him. But keep an eye out if the Magic want to upgrade at shooting guard some.

The Orlando Magic do not need guard help anymore. But they have always been linked to some members of the Miami Heat’s cap casualties. Gabe Vincent has been among them, at least when everyone saw the Magic as needing point guards.

If Orlando is trading away Gary Harris, Gabe Vincent at 6-foot-3 and 33.4 percent shooting from deep could be a decent replacement on both ends.

Personally, I think the issue with Harris lineups is more about Harris’ lack of size than about his ability or needing to find more shooting. I think the issue with Gabe Vincent is that he is very similar to Jalen Suggs. So why spend money on something you already have and do not really need?

Max Strus has been a player the Orlando Magic have long been connected to just because of their need for shooting. We have written about it plenty on this site already.

What has changed is that his price has ballooned with some expecting him to get a contract in the $16 million range. Fellow cap space team Indiana Pacers are among the teams in on him. And the Magic are likely priced out considering they have other needs they likely are looking to fill.