With the Magic finally making it back to the playoffs and taking the veteran-filled Cavaliers to seven games in the first round with their young core, there were many decisions that had to be made going into this offseason. After seeing flashes of what the team is capable of, there was a lot of speculation on what direction the Magic would go in.
Would they try to acquire another star and go all in, would they keep the team the same and bank on progression, or would they pick up a few more pieces that fill some needs? The Magic ended up having somewhat of a quiet offseason, but they made some very key moves that could make the difference between being knocked out in the first round and going to the Conference Finals.
However, some great pickups also come with a few questionable decisions that may not work out like they were intended to. The good news is there is always the trade deadline, and the roster now does not have to be the roster in February.
Regardless, it was a really productive offseason that is just about wrapping up, and the Magic’s roster seems to be set. This means it is now time to take a look back on the last few months and grade the moves that were made this offseason. It is tough to grade some moves when a player has not played in the NBA yet, but based on what the Magic need, it is still easy to see who will be a potential fit.
What was the Magic’s best move, and who was their worst? Let’s begin grading.
Magic use the 18th pick in the draft to select Tristan da Silva: B+
Although da Silva just got to leave school, we’re bringing him back to give him one final B+. The Magic definitely filled a need with da Silva. He is a lengthy wing that excels on catch-and-shoot threes and can play defense. He shot just under 40 percent from three and averaged 16 points per game while leading Colorado to a March Madness appearance.
Although he does fit what the Magic need, there are a few reasons besides the fact that he has yet to play a possession on the court that the move does not get an A. Offensively, he seems pretty one-dimensional, as he struggles from the midrange and off the dribble, and although he was a solid finisher in college, his size and frame pose the question of whether it will translate without putting on any weight.
There was also a lot of talent on the draft board. As mentioned, he is a good fit but there were some more talented and explosive players that could have helped the Magic in other ways as well. That being said, he did show a lot of promise in Summer League this year. He shot the ball confidently and efficiently, showed improvement with off-the-dribble shooting, and even showed off some playmaking.
It is just Summer League and nothing to overreact to, but the fact he looks like a ten-year vet when he shoots the ball is definitely a good sign. His fit and the flashes he has shown have earned the Magic a B+, but we will have to wait and see him play in some meaningful games before we can really tell if the Magic paid attention in Draft 101.
Magic trade second-round pick Antonio Reeves for two future second-round picks: C
I know it seems odd that the Magic can get such a low grade for trading a second-round pick, but this might not have been in their best interest. Reeves is a 23-year-old who played five seasons in college, which means he is one of the more experienced and NBA-ready players. He is a two-way player who could have helped the Magic on both ends of the court.
He would have given the Magic the three-point shooting they need so desperately, as well as scoring on all levels and the ability to create his own shot. He also has an extremely high defensive IQ and potential to be a really good defender in the NBA,
Having a player with that kind of upside and giving him away for two second-round picks in the 2030s just does not seem like they got equal value in return. Reeves could have been a great fit and he has a reputation for being a really hard worker.
On the other hand, he has also not played in a regular season game yet and he would have been a little bit more of a project as a prospect. For at least this season he probably would not have been in the rotation. So, you cannot fault the Magic too much, as it most likely would not have really affected them this season. However, he could have made some plays and been a rotational player after a season or two.
Orlando Magic sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a 3-year, $66 million contract: A+
This was by far the best move the Magic made this offseason, and it has earned them an A+. Talk about a perfect fit. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is an elite spot-up shooter, who is capable of guarding the other team’s best guard, and to top it all off, he is a two-time NBA champion.
He has seen and been through what it takes to be a champion, and he has a lot he can teach the young Magic core as they become a real threat in the Eastern Conference. Caldwell-Pope and Suggs are going to be an absolute problem defensively for other backcourts, and the Magic’s defensive identity just got stronger.
Caldwell-Pope also shot 40.6 percent from three last year and showed no signs of slowing down. Although 31, Caldwell-Pope shot his third-best percentage from behind the arc and still looks like he has more years to give. Although this could be argued as a slight bit of an overpay, it is okay to overpay a little to secure the possible missing piece to this starting lineup.
This was an outstanding move by the Orlando Magic’s front office, and it rightfully deserves one of their two A+ grades of the offseason. This was a move that can be looked at as one of the more underrated moves of the summer by the end of the season. Hopefully, Caldwell-Pope can bring his winning ways to Orlando and prove why this was an A+ move.
Magic re-sign Goga Bitadze to a 3-year, $25 million contract: A
Obviously, this was not the most significant move, but it was a necessary one that could play a big part down the line. The contract is very fair and the former 18th overall pick is only 25 years old. He is going to be the third-string center but will get sporadic minutes and play big minutes if there is an injury or if the Magic need more rim protection.
Bitadze averaged a super efficient 5 points per game on 60.3 percent shooting from the field. He is also a solid rebounder, provides great rim protection, and is the heart of the defense for the Magic. He played 62 games and started 33 games last season, proving that he is great at staying ready and making the most of his opportunities when his number is called.
When Wendell Carter Jr. was dealing with some injury issues last year, Bitadze was given the opportunity to prove his worth, and he did. He averaged 7.5 points and 7.3 rebounds as a starter last season. As a starter, he also averaged 1.8 assists per game, which does not jump off the page, but if you watched him, you could see he was one of the better playmakers from the center position.
All of his skills combined with the fact that he is still young, earn the Magic an A for this signing. Bitadze looks like he could be on the Magic for years to come and play a crucial role on their way to climbing their way back to the top of the Eastern Conference. Another great move from the Magic front office.
Magic re-sign Gary Harris to a 2-year, $15 million contract: C
Gary Harris was a big part of the Magic lineup last year. He shot the ball really well from three at 37.1 percent, and he played elite defense on the other end. Harris has been a reliable source of shooting for the Magic over the last few years when consistent shooting has been scarce for them.
There are multiple reasons why this move gets a C however. After the signing of Caldwell-Pope, who will take over Harris' starting role and is essentially a better version of Harris, it is hard to see Harris contributing a ton this season. His role already has gotten smaller over his years with the Magic, and he has had some health issues.
He also could be holding back the development of some of the younger players, and getting players like Anthony Black or Jett Howard some playing time might be more beneficial. Harris only averaged 6.9 points per game, which is his lowest mark since his rookie year, and he struggled tremendously offensively in the playoffs.
Harris is still a good player and may be better in a smaller role, but it may have been time for the Magic to let him walk before his decline gets worse. His veteran presence will be good to have, but it is unsure how much he still offers on the court. Let’s hope he can have a resurgence going back to a bench role.
Moritz Wagner re-signs with Magic on a 2-year, $22 million deal: A+
Mo Wagner was arguably one of the best backup centers in the NBA last year, and he was as durable as they come, playing in 80 out of 82 games. He averaged a career-high 10.9 points per game and a career-high in field goal percentage with 60.1 percent. He was one of the most consistent players on the roster and made countless big plays for the Magic last year.
This move is an A+ not only because they are retaining one of their biggest bench pieces, but they got it done on what almost seems like an underpay. He had 20 games with 15 or more points scored, and he only played 17.7 minutes per game. Wagner has the ability to score on all three levels and even had a few highlight-reel dunks this past season.
He was a problem on offense, but the most underrated part of his game is his defense. Although not a great shot-blocker or rim-protector for a center, he is an elite defender on the ball. He can even move his feet and stay in front of some guards sometimes. He held players like Fred VanVleet, Damian Lillard, and DeMar DeRozan to under 35 percent shooting.
Wagner struggled in his first playoff series but seems to be ready to erase that memory this season. He was a necessary piece for Orlando's future, and this was a great move by the front office. More moves like this will get the Magic's front office on the honor roll.
Jonathan Isaac agrees to 5-year, $84 million extension with the Magic: C
Jonathan Isaac is a fan favorite and an absolute athletic freak, but the vision of him being a consistent and reliable role player might be nothing more than a dream. He did have the second healthiest season of his career, playing 58 games in which he put up some solid numbers. He averaged 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds on very efficient 51/37.5/72 shooting splits in just under 16 minutes per game.
Obviously, the biggest upside in his game is his defense. He had an unbelievable defensive rating of 104.5, which was a team-best by far, and his shot-blocking ability never ceases to amaze the fans. He held players like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Victor Wembanyama to under 40 percent shooting.
With all those great attributes it might be hard to imagine why this signing got a C. Although he had a solid season, it was nothing more than that. A lot of media analysts thought that Isaac would eventually catch his stride and finally have a semi-healthy season but that was just never the case.
Offensively, besides spot-up shooting, Isaac struggles. His main advantages are on the defensive end and this is just when he is actually able to be on the court. Paying that kind of money to someone who has played in 205 out of the 574 possible games he could have played in for mostly defensive purposes does not seem like a productive move for the Magic's future. At least the Magic took some precautions, not guaranteeing the full money.
The Magic give Franz Wagner a $224 million max extension: B-
Franz Wagner has been a really good second option for the Magic and has made big plays on both sides of the ball all season. He was second on the team in points per game, assists per game, and steals per game. He also had the best defensive rating of his career and a career-high in points, rebounds, and assists.
These stats might make it seem like this was deserving of an A, but the numbers do not always tell the story. Wagner was the epitome of inconsistency this season and seemingly lost his once-automatic three-point shot. He also has still not gained the ability to hit the mid-range shot, and he has not taken the scoring jump that most thought he would take in his third season.
Regardless of some of Wagner’s third-year struggles, it still made sense to extend him. He has not played to the standard of a max extension, but the money is based on what the front office believes he will do, not what he has done. Also, replacing him would have been extremely difficult, and he has been in the Magic's system for three years, so it makes sense to keep him, even if it is expensive.
Wagner has had a lot of great moments with the Magic. He just needs to work on being great night in and night out. There is no question that he has the skillset and capabilities to be an All-Star in the NBA, and hopefully, this new contract is some motivation to do so. Cheers to four more years of Franz Wagner and another smart move from the Magic's front office.
Magic re-sign Trevelin Queen to a two-way contract: B-
The former G League MVP is a great player to have at the end of the roster. He only played in 14 games last season, but he was a spark off the bench when he did come in. Offensively, he is a good playmaker and ball handler and an excellent finisher. He is a hyper-athletic guard who can get to the rim and punish those who try to get in his way.
He has struggled shooting the ball but has shown a willingness to shoot it with confidence and force the defense to step out on him. Besides his athleticism, his defense might be his next best attribute. He is a pest and is one of the players that gives his all on the defensive end.
It does not matter if it is a backup point guard or Steph Curry. He will give it his all and do his best to try and shut them down. He is only on a two-way, so he will not be seen too much in the Kia Center, but he is a great developmental player to have and a great spark when his name is called up.
It was a genius move from the front office to keep him around, and he is just entering his prime and seems capable of getting even better. The grade is a B- because he will mostly play in the G league and will play minimal minutes when he is with the Magic. Still, he is a great player to keep in the organization.
Magic sign Cory Joseph to a two-year deal: C
Cory Joseph is a veteran guard nearing the end of his career. He will probably be mostly a locker room guy and a veteran guard with a lot of knowledge who can teach the younger guys plenty. He is also another NBA champion who was brought to the team and can bring a winning attitude and winning habits to the locker room.
He did play a little bit for the Golden State Warriors last year and is capable of giving the Magic some valuable minutes if needed, but that would only be due to injury. His leadership and experience will be very valuable to the team. The question is just how much he will produce on the court.
The year prior, he played with the Pistons and actually put up some decent numbers, so it is possible he has some more minutes left in the tank. He is still a pretty solid 3-point shooter and a decent playmaker, which is valuable to any team. So, regardless of whether he plays or not, he will still be a valuable asset to the team.
Giving the Magic a C seems very fitting for this signing, and it was by no means a bad move. It is just one of the more insignificant moves that the Magic made, and it does not have the upside of an A- or B-worthy grade.
The Magic let Joe Ingles and Markelle Fultz walk: A
This offseason, the Magic let go of a few players, the biggest names being Markelle Fultz and Joe Ingles. These were necessary moves that will benefit the team. Some tough decisions had to be made and it seems that they did a great job making the right ones.
Ingles actually played really well this past season, but he is older, and giving him a multi-year contract does not seem like it would have made sense. He also dealt with the injury bug a little and was really only effective from three.
Fultz had been dealing with injuries more than anybody on the Magic besides Isaac. Having a guard who does not have the ability to shoot the three and can not really stay on the court does not seem like a recipe for success.
The front office made some great decisions on who to bring in and who to get rid of, and overall, the Magic get an A- for their offseason. Hopefully, it will translate to on-the-court success. They passed this year’s offseason and will hopefully keep up the good grades. This year’s Magic team is the best we have seen in over a decade.