5 Best free agents the Orlando Magic could target in 2024
By Sam LaFrance
5 best free agents Orlando Magic could target in 2024
The Orlando Magic impress James Harden, pay him to run the point
Of the options that have been presented in this article, this is by far the least realistic.
James Harden’s future is currently in limbo, and the Orlando Magic are not on his one-team list of preferred trade destinations.
But that is now. What about in a year?
What if the Magic soar above expectations and turn some heads next spring — maybe even winning a playoff series? What is so bad about losing in the second round?
Harden’s Philadelphia 76ers seem to do it every year, and he forced a trade there two seasons ago. Plus, there were strong rumors that he was interested in joining a budding Houston Rockets team this summer. So it’s not impossible for him to make a surprising move.
When looking at Orlando’s roster, the point guard position has to be one of the least solidified spots. There are four or five guys on the team that could earn the role for years to come — the front office probably hopes it is Anthony Black — but there is no guarantee that any of them pan out.
If the Magic decide that they are ready to take the next step, then they could go all-in on the former league MVP. By the time he is a free agent next summer, Harden will be 34 years old. Not a lot of teams are going to want to open the checkbook (if anyone even uses those anymore) for him. Orlando could get Harden’s attention with a big offer — at the very least.
Next. Playing better basketball means reducing turnovers. dark
It may take something like three-or-four years, $120-150 million to do so, but it is probably not as impossible as it seems.