Orlando Magic Future: Targets for the Offseason

The Orlando Magic shocked the world and made it to the NBA Playoffs as a five seed. At one point, it seemed like they might even do enough to get up to the two seed in the East. Ultimately, the Magic surpassed their Vegas predicted season win total by ten games and have quite a bright future ahead. The future of the Orlando Magic starts with Paolo Banchero who had one of the best playoff introductions of any player in a long time. What quickly became evident was how badly he needs some help. The Magic are primed to add big name free agents or acquire superstars in trades. Who exactly are the Orlando Magic targets to watch?

The Future of the Orlando Magic

Free Agents

Several players will see their contracts expire this offseason. Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris both are unrestricted free agents. Harris started most of the playoff games and Fultz was one of the main contributors off the bench. As far as Harris is concerned, he did not shoot it nearly well enough to return as the starting shooting guard. Fultz had several bright spot moments against the Cavaliers but not quite the impact the Magic had hoped. He is incredibly athletic but could not breakdown his defender consistently enough. Regardless, it does still feel worthwhile to bring him back on a smaller deal if he would take it.

The only other unrestricted free agent is Goga Bitadze who played very well during the season when injuries mounted. However, he lost his spot in the rotation in the postseason. Center is the deepest position for the Magic so Bitadze could be a cap casualty in search of some shooting and wing depth.

Chuma Okeke is a restricted free agent. The former 16th pick in the 2019 Draft has really struggled with health and carving out a role in the rotation. He could be tendered by the Magic but more than likely they will let him test the market and consider matching any deals.

Team Options

Finally, Joe Ingles and Moritz Wagner both have team options for 2024-25. Both players had a spot in the postseason rotation. Wagner is a high-energy big who can be very impactful off the bench. His $8 million option is likely to be picked up. Ingles has a slightly larger option at $11 million. Ingles really played as the de facto back up point guard and did it decently well. The price on the option is quite high for the 36 year old. The Ingles family reportedly loves Orlando so the best option might be to decline the team option and sign him to a smaller veteran deal if he would like to return.

The Orlando Magic Core

Paolo Banchero took a massive leap in year two and is the main reason this Magic team got this far. While his season stats look fairly similar, Banchero’s postseason play was impressive. He is the first player 21 years old or younger that led his team in points, rebounds, and assists in a postseason series since LeBron James. Not bad. Additionally, he had games of 39, 38, 31 points, while shooting 16/39 from deep and carrying his team to three wins. Banchero very clearly stamped himself as one of the great young players in the NBA and a guy you can build around to win a title.

Franz Wagner is the other guy that must be mentioned. Wagner had a great year, averaging 19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Banchero and the Magic were in search of another piece to help get this team to the postseason and Wagner was the answer. Wagner’s size and ability to score gives him the potential to be a very solid NBA wing which is a key piece in any title team. Unfortunately, Wagner shot the ball extremely poorly all year which did not help on a team that already struggled to score. Improving his outside shot from 28.1% is going to be crucial.

Finally, Jalen Suggs stamped himself as part of this core group. Suggs took the challenge to defend stars like Donovan Mitchell in the postseason and did his best to make life difficult. He had multiple 20+ point games with 2+ made threes to go with that defense which is more than the Magic expect. Suggs also is clearly the heart and soul of the team as his impact is felt with his energy alone.

The Youngsters

Orlando has three main young guys that may be a part of the future. First, Anthony Black was the 6th pick last year and appeared in 69 games. He shot the ball decently well in his limited chances and definitely showed promise as a starter. Black is a raw talent but he is definitely on the path to being a significant piece of the Magic future.

Jett Howard was the 11th pick in the 2023 Draft. He spent most of his time in the G-League this season where he showed the ability to score at a high level and make tough shots. His defense is highly questionable but the Magic can afford to play some weaker defensive pieces considering how strong they are as a group defensively.

The other piece is Caleb Houstan. He is a capable shooter with length but he just has not been able to earn NBA minutes in his two seasons. Houstan might be a possible trade piece moving forward.

Trade Pieces

Cole Anthony is the first possible trade piece. He is one of numerous combo guards on the roster which makes him repetitive and replaceable. While he can score and is a great athlete, he does not shoot it well enough or create plays well enough to be helpful to this current Magic group. Additionally, his salary will be nearly $13 million next season which is way too much.

Jonathan Isaac is another possible trade piece. Isaac has really struggled with injuries these last few years but he came back this season and showed his skill on the defensive end. With his size, he also can easily play 3 through 5. He even spent time guarding Donovan Mitchell in the Cavs series. However, he has a $17.4 million expiring contract which makes him enticing in a deal for a superstar.

Wendell Carter Jr is the last possible trade piece. While he is the starting center and best option at that position, he is also a young player on a fairly friendly deal. Carter is only 25 years old and under team control for two more years at around $12 million per year. That is a perfect deal for Orlando and they should do everything to keep him, however, teams will absolutely inquire about his availability.

Trade Targets

The Magic need to go big game hunting. They have their two young players set and just need another star. That star needs to be either a point guard or another wing that is a primary scorer.

The Atlanta Hawks are going to move one of their guards this offseason. Both Trae Young and Dejounte Murray could instantly improve the Magic. Dejounte Murray and Paolo Banchero has the Washington connection and Murray is a great defender. However, Young is a much better scorer than Murray. The fit with Young is a little less clear as he wants to operate out of the pick and roll with a lob threat which is not the game the Magic play.

Donovan Mitchell is widely rumored to be done with Cleveland. The star guard dominated the Magic this postseason and showed he is a true superstar. He can be that go-to scorer to pair with Banchero. They are both young and showed plenty of ability to dominate or let their teammates cook. It would truly be a match made in heaven.

Lauri Markkanen is a longshot but he has one year left on his deal and may not be in the Jazz’s plans. He would add freakish length and scoring to the Magic.

Free Agent Targets

Wings

Paul George is always the name that will be mentioned first. He has a $44 million player option but is looking for a long term deal. The Magic have cap space and a need for someone like George. He also fits their culture perfectly as a rugged defender with plenty of length.

Another name is Klay Thompson. This one is entirely price dependent but a player with significant gravity on the court and defensive ability is another perfect fit for the Magic. There is some noise that the Warriors will keep the core together, but if they do not, Thompson is the odd man out. With that being said, Thompson has been such a streaky shooter of late and Father Time is running full speed at Thompson.

Buddy Hield is just a younger version of Thompson right now. He can be that immediate floor spacer at the two that gives Banchero and Wagner a ton more space to operate.

Guards

Tyus Jones is the perfect fit for the Magic lead guard role. He consistently leads the NBA in assist/turnover ratio and demonstrated an ability to run a starting group with the Wizards this year. Jones is a capable shooter but thrives by making plays for others and limiting turnovers. Those two areas have been difficult for the Magic this year.

Malik Monk also fits the role of primary playmaker and shooter. He is due for a large contract so it would be wise for the Magic to try and get a big fish before landing on Monk. Truthfully, Monk is polarizing in the sense that he is truly a sixth man but is going to get starter money.

Monte Morris another steady handed guard that can initiate offense and score as needed. He is the cheapest option on this list and would be a nice option if the Magic do hit a home run with a star wing.