Thunderous Intentions
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OKC Thunder: One free agent target from every Eastern Conference team

By Tamberlyn Richardson

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 30: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against the New York Knicks in the first half during game four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at State Farm Arena on May 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 30: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against the New York Knicks in the first half during game four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at State Farm Arena on May 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
OKC Thunder free agency: Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner (21) guards Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0): Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /

Orlando Magic

2021 Free Agents:

  • Ignas Brazdeikis
  • James Ennis
  • Otto Porter Jr.
  • Chasson Randle
  • Sindarius Thornwell
  • Moritz Wagner

2021 Draft Picks:

  • Guard, Jalen Suggs (5th)
  • Forward,  Franz Wagner (8th)

One of the winners from draft night was the Magic who finally got what they’ve needed for years – a point guard dedicated to running the offense while also capable of providing scoring.

Wagner was (in my opinion) the really great prospect addition who’ll join the rare list of brothers who play for the same team(or will he? — see below). Franz was a prospect that virtually any team who drafted him could plugin immediately and gain the benefit of his well-rounded game.

Orlando like the Thunder are in the process of rebuilding but have arguably more talent overall. The ceiling of that talent and their fit is still uncertain given Jonathan Isaac and Fultz’s injury and the trade deadline moves that brought in numerous new youngsters.

Also, like the Thunder, the Magic have ample cap space and Jeff Weltman can follow the lead of Sam Presti to pick up veterans to bolster his draft pick capital while hoping to add a player who recognizes a career resurgence and then flip them for more picks.

Of the six free agents, the player OKC should be interested in is Mo Wagner who played for three different clubs last season getting his best results with the Magic. The 6’11” center averaged 11 points, 4.9 rebounds, and shot 37.2 percent from deep on 3.9 attempts in Orlando.

While Orlando has the money to re-sign Wagner the question is how much playing time Jamahl Mosley can afford to offer him? For the Magic to gauge their young big men they’ll need minutes and that pushes Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter Jr. ahead of Wagner plus Isaac will be back and the new coach may want to see some lineups with him at the five.

That could mean Mo could be picked up at an economical rate and the Thunder need depth upfront. Presti should consider trying to sign Wagner to a longer-term economical deal that either result in a great fit in Daigneault’s system or gives him a tradeable asset for future deals.

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