All the focus for the Magic's 2024 offseason has been on bringing in shooting and point guard help. Those are definitely pressing needs, especially the shooting, but the Magic could also be in the market for a center.
Someone who can protect the rim and fit the team's defensive identity would be perfect. You have to work with what is available, however.
So, let's look at some free-agent centers the Magic could monitor over the summer.
4. Jonas Valanciunas
Averaging 12.2 points on 55.9 percent shooting from the field, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists over 82 regular season games, Jonas Valanciunas was a productive starting center. He is one of the stronger big men out there and a great option if you want a strong body to own the paint.
With virtually no outside shot in his arsenal, Valanciunas is a very traditional center relying heavily on post-ups and second-chance points for his scoring.
That might not be what the Magic are looking for, however. With the team's current lack of 3-point threats, they might not want someone who plays primarily in the paint and will block driving lanes for Paolo Banchero. Plus, the big man is not very good when forced to switch on smaller defenders.
Still, if you are looking at the best available centers in free agency, Valanciunas deserves some consideration.
3. Jalen Smith
Indiana Pacers center Jalen Smith has a $5.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season. According to Hoops Hype's Michael Scotto, the expectation around the league is that he will decline it and become an unrestricted free agent.
If that is indeed the case, Smith could garner some interest in the free agent market. He is not a traditional center who will get tons of rebounds or protect the rim—last season, he averaged 5.5 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game as a reserve—but he is a good outside shooter for a center. In 2023-24, Smith shot 42.4 percent from three on 2.4 attempts per game.
On a team that struggles with 3-point shooting like the Magic, anyone who is comfortable from beyond the arc would be a welcome addition. In the playoffs, Smith's minutes decreased dramatically, however, which is concerning. The Magic need players who can help them win at the highest level, especially considering Wendell Carter Jr.'s injury trouble.
Plus, if the Magic went out to get another center, they would probably prefer to get a rim protector. If Goga Bitadze leaves in free agency, Jonathan Isaac would be the only rim protector left on the roster.
2. Isaiah Hartenstein
Isaiah Hartenstein made a real name for himself with the New York Knicks this season. When Mitchell Robinson went down with an injury, Hartenstein was pushed into a bigger role and did not disappoint.
Averaging 7.8 points on 64.4 percent shooting from the field, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.2 steals, he filled the void incredibly well. Doing it little bit of everything on the court, Hartenstein earned himself a solid pay raise this summer and plenty of suitors to try and lure him away from the Knicks.
One of those teams is Oklahoma. The Thunder could really use an inside presence and a strong rebounder. Recently, rumors emerged that the Magic could also be interested in Hartenstein, however.
If they are looking to add a center, Hartenstein is definitely one of the best options on the market. He brings toughness, strong rebounding on both ends of the floor, great efficiency around the rim, and some solid defense.
The question is just if he would even want to leave the Knicks and how much the Magic would be willing to spend on a center. After all, Hartenstein has already said that he would love to stay with the Knicks, and the Magic also have other needs to address in the offseason.
1. Nic Claxton
Nic Claxton is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and considering the Nets' uncertain future, he could probably be convinced to leave Brooklyn. If the Magic are looking for a defensive-minded center and rim protector, Claxton is the best option available in free agency.
For two consecutive seasons now, the 25-year-old averaged more than two blocks per game. He ranked eighth in blocks per game across the league for the regular season. The Magic currently do not have a center like Claxton—someone who can block shots at a high level and play above the rim.
Besides his defense, Claxton has also taken steps offensively. In 2023-24, he averaged 11.8 points, took a career-high 8.2 field goal attempts per game, and converted 62.9 percent of them. Due to his efficiency, he does not need the ball a lot to impact the game.
Claxton does not have an outside shot, however, and would thus bring a much different dimension of center play than what the Magic are used to from Wendell Carter Jr. Adding a non-shooter to this team can only work if the shooting on the perimeter improves significantly.
Still, Claxton is a force defensively, and someone of his archetype would turn the Magic into an even scarier defense. They already ranked at the top of the league with only two bench players—Jonathan Isaac and Goga Bitadze—averaging over one block per game.