2019 Southeast NBA Free Agency Primer – The under performing division

Orlando Magic

Situation Entering Offseason:

I’ve already stated in previous pieces this Magic team did much to impress the latter portion of the 2018-19 season. Their issue rested in scoring consistently and spacing the floor properly. The Champion Raptors paid huge compliments to the Magic citing them as the most difficult first round opponent and how despite the 4-1 record Orlando was no easy out.

This week Magic GM John Hammond stated long term NBA project (and former first round pick) Markelle Fultz will NOT play in the Summer League and the team has no clue when he will play.

Salary:

Cap Space: $ (44,316,500.00)
Floor Space: $ (3,366,841.00)
Max Space: $ 21,428,307.00
Projected Space: $ (44,116,534.00)

*as per Keith Smith of Real GM

Key free agents to re-sign:

The area of the floor the Magic have mastered is their defense so the fact Terrance Ross and Nikola Vucevic will draw lots of consideration around the Association puts them in a bit of a bind if they lose either or both.

That said, the future of the team lies in the frontcourt with Jonathan Issac and Mo Bamba, so it might be time to let Vucevic walk if the price isn’t right in favor of adding a reliable playmaking point guard.

Ricky Rubio might be a great option for this team but they’ll need to retain TRoss if they go in that direction to maintain floor spacing.

2019 Roster Depth:

• D.J. Augustin
• Mohamed Bamba
• Melvin Frazier Jr.
• Markelle Fultz
• Evan Fournier
• Aaron Gordon
• Jonathan Isaac
• Timofey Mozgov

Draft Picks:

• Chuma Okeke

2019 free agents

Nikola Vucevic
Terrence Ross
Jerian Grant (Restricted)
Khem Birch (Restricted – team extended qualifying offer)
Jarell Martin (Restricted)
Troy Caupain (Restricted)
Amile Jefferson (Restricted – team extended qualifying offer)
Wesley Iwundu (Team formally exercised the option)

2020 free agents

Timofey Mozgov
D.J. Augustin
Evan Fournier (Player)