The Magic have a desperate need for some more three-point threats. It is incredibly difficult to win at a high level in today's NBA without at least a handful of capable three-point shooters. That Is something the Magic do not have right now and consequently finished the regular season 24th in three-point percentage.
So, addressing that issue should be one of the team's priorities this offseason. We already looked at some three-point shooters the Magic couldsteal from their Eastern Conference rivals. Now, let's look at five shooters Orlando could poach from Western Conference contenders.
5. Gordon Hayward
At the 2024 trade deadline, the Oklahoma City Thunder got Gordon Hayward from the Hornets, hoping he would give them a veteran option off the bench or a chance to potentially replace Josh Giddey with a more capable shooter. Hayward is a solid three-point shooter, averaging 37 percent from three for his career.
He failed to have a notable impact in Oklahoma, however, and barely even played in the playoff. Now, he is set to hit unrestricted free agency and might be available if the Magic are interested. Hayward has been struggling with injuries these past few years, but he can stretch the floor and has been a good playmaker in the past, averaging 3.5 assists for his career.
Considering he is already 34 and just finished the season on a sour note with one of the best teams in the West, he shouldn't cost too much either, especially compared to some other names on the market. So, if the Magic are looking for someone to come off the bench and stretch the floor while not costing too much, Hayward could be an option.
4. Monte Morris
Monte Morris had a down year, playing little with the Detroit Pistons and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota got the veteran to have a reliable ball handler to back up Mike Conley. Stuck in the rotation behind Conley, Anthony Edwards, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, he struggled to see the floor, however.
This summer, Morris will be an unrestricted free agent and will likely explore the market. The Magic should keep an eye on him because he could be a cheap option to solve some of their most pressing offensive issues.
First of all, Morris is a good three-point shooter, averaging 39.1 percent over his seven seasons in the league. On top of that, he is also a solid playmaker. In the 2022-23 season, Morris averaged 5.3 assists for the Wizards in 27.4 minutes per game. The Magic could really use that kind of production from their guards. Besides, Morris is not the kind of player who will take too many touches away from Orlando's young core.
He is also not the kind of player who will drastically improve the Magic. Getting Morris in free agency won’t suddenly turn the Magic into contenders. He could help carry the playmaking load and stretch the floor as a complementary piece, however.
3. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
The Denver Nuggets did not manage to repeat but they are still one of the best teams in the West because of Nikola Jokic. This summer one of the team's key pieces could decide to hit the free agency market, however.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has a $15,440,185 player option coming up and is widely expected to decline it. The Magic have the kind of money to persuade a free agent looking for a pay raise to leave their current team, and Caldwell-Pope is someone they should keep their eyes on.
The 31-year-old veteran would bring championship experience, good three-point shooting, and defensive intensity that would fit the Magic's identity on that end of the floor. What he does not bring is playmaking, however. So, while Caldwell-Pope checks a lot of boxes for the Magic he does not check all of them.
Still, stealing him from the Nuggets could prove to be a smart move. High-level veteran two-way players do not grow on trees. The Magic would just have to decide if they believe that Caldwell-Pope and Jalen Suggs could provide enough playmaking together to lighten the load for Paolo Banchero or if the veteran would be willing to fill a sixth-man role. He has not come off the bench since the 2019-20 season, when he only started 26 games.
2. Luke Kennard
The Memphis Grizzlies were far from a Western Conference contender this season, but we should all expect them to make some noise next season. Ja Morant will be back, Marcus Smart will hopefully be healthy, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. have both gotten better, and the Grizzlies discovered some options to replace Dillon Brooks.
They also have a tough decision coming up on Luke Kennard, however. Kennard has a $14.7 million team option for the 2024-25 season, and it is not clear yet what the Grizzlies will do with it. The shooting guard is a value floor-stretcher, but he has been struggling with injuries, and the Grizzlies might want to use the money for something else. After all, they have not yet replaced Steven Adams.
If the Grizzlies decline Kennard's team option, the Magic could make an offer. Orlando needs three-point shooting, and Kennard is one of the best to do it. Over his seven seasons in the league, he has never shot less than 39.4 percent from three. His presence alone stretches the floor because opponents do not want to risk him getting hot and knocking down several threes.
On the other end of the floor, Kennard is not quite the same asset, however. The Magic could make up for one weak defender, especially if it improves their offense. The question is just whether they want to and if they trust Kennard to be healthy after he has been struggling with knee issues.
1. Paul George
Paul George is one of the biggest names to potentially hit the free agency market this summer. He has a player option for next season with the Clippers and might decline it. If he thinks he can get a bigger long-term contract somewhere else, he might very well be on his way out of LA. The Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers have been rumored as potential landing spots. Both teams have money for a star and enticing players.
Meanwhile, the Clippers are aging out of their championship window, and their status as contenders in the West is slipping away. So, George might want to try and join a winning team somewhere else.
The Magic could certainly use his skill set. At 34, George is still a high-level scorer, playmaker, and three-point shooter. In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 41.3 percent from three. He could carry the Magic to the next level by improving the offense and fitting in well defensively. Plus, it would be beneficial for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner to be around someone who already walked the path they are just starting on.
The only problem is that if George becomes a free agent, there will be other teams trying to get him. The vision of competing for a championship with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey is hard to beat.