Orlando Magic

Who Should the Magic Target in Free Agency?

Published

9 years ago

April 23, 2015

This offseason for the Orlando Magic will be pivotal for the foreseeable future for the franchise. General Manager Rob Hennigan will have his hands full, as the decisions he makes will make or break his stint with the organization. Who he drafts, hires for coach, and signs in free agency will be of the utmost priority. In the past few articles, both coaching and drafting have been addressed. Today, the third component of offseason decisions, signing free agents, will be discussed.

What does the team need?

Veteran Leadership

Leadership is key for team and individual player development. Veterans who keep the younger players on their team in check catalyze the players’ development. Right now, Willie Green offers that to the team. If the team chooses not to retain him, are there any free agents who can accomplish that?

David West
David West is a hard-nosed player who brings his all to every game. His locker room presence and contagious drive to succeed are invaluable for a budding group of young players in Orlando. He would be a great addition to the team should he choose to part ways with Indiana.
Likelihood of signing: 10%

Lamarcus Aldridge
This signing would be a dream scenario. A proven player who has carried his team more often than not would be a great fit for the Magic, who need a power forward should Aaron Gordon remain a small forward. Orlando is a nice free agent destination: no personal income tax, great weather, not to mention a team that has a young core set up to succeed. Are those factors enough to pry Aldridge away from a perennial playoff contender with a budding superstar in Damian Lillard? As enticing as it may seem, probably not.
Likelihood of signing: 2%

Second-Unit
More often than not, the Magic loses grip of their leads during games when players like Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo are off the court. As of now, Evan Fournier and Dewayne Dedmon serve to be exceptional backups to their respective positions, but who should run the offense in the second unit? Are there any players available who can fill the void of reserve power forward?

Jeremy Lin
Lakers coach Byron Scott has not used Jeremy Lin properly. The reason he was so effective in New York was because of his ability to run the offense through him efficiently, starting a movement known by many as “Linsanity”. With the right coach, Lin could do wonders. Our second unit desperately needs offense, and Lin is the right guy for it. Should he be willing to play off the bench, signing Lin would be great for the team.
Likelihood of signing: 15%

CJ Watson
CJ Watson is a very serviceable player to come off the bench. With a Pacers team without their starting point guard, George Hill, as well as their star player Paul George for most of the season, Watson was an integral part to their valiant but failed playoff push. He would be a spark of energy off the bench the Magic could use and would be a very smart signing by Rob Hennigan.
Likelihood of signing: 45%

Jameer Nelson
It would sure be nice to have Jameer Nelson back. After staying with one team for a decade, he has been reduced to trade fodder by other teams, being with three other teams over the span of one season. I really feel bad for Nelson, as he was waived by Orlando as a gesture of good faith so he can go to a contending team, which he attempted in doing so by signing with Dallas. We should sign him this offseason, and he would be a great locker room presence as well as a great point guard and mentor to back up Elfrid.
Likelihood of signing: 70%

Ed Davis
Lowballed by the Lakers and buried in rotations, power forward Ed Davis would be an excellent signing by the Magic. Taught by Zach Randolph and Pau Gasol, Davis is a hard-working defender who has taken strides to improve his previously weak offensive game. He would be a really good role player for this team.
Likelihood of signing: 30%

Lou Williams
Recently crowned Sixth Man of the Year, Lou Williams is worthy of a starter position, but has shown his professionalism by coming off the bench for his past couple coaches. I would much rather have a shooting force in Lou than players like Willie Green and Ben Gordon shooting inconsistently off the bench.
Likelihood of signing: 15%

Rim Protectors
Time and time again, I have always noted the Magic’s need for constant rim protection. The only player on this team who can serve as a rim-protecting anchor is Dewayne Dedmon. Who, in free agency, can address the rim-protecting issue the Magic has? Is there a player to suit that need?

Bismack Biyombo
Biyombo is not a bad option to target. However, I do not think a Dedmon-Biyombo second unit front court would work very well, so while on paper it might seem nice, I think the Magic should pass on this signing.
Likelihood of signing: 1%

Deandre Jordan
Similar to the signing of Lamarcus Aldridge, this would be a dream signing. I would not be surprised at all if the Magic offered close to the max for the DPOY candidate. A front court headlined by Deandre Jordan and Nikola Vucevic is one where both players mask each others’ weaknesses while amplifying their respective strengths. Whether he actually lands in Orlando is a different story. While it would be nice, it does not seem very likely.
Likelihood of signing: 7.5%

Players entering restricted free agency who would fit perfectly into the Magic’s culture of defensive intensity are Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. Unfortunately, even if we or any other team offers a max offer to them, I do not envision a scenario where their respective teams do not match the offer. They are simply too good at what they do, and price cannot quantify the impact they have on their respective teams.

The Magic have a lot of cap flexibility, especially with the cap spike that will come about over the next few years. They are primed to sign players to add to their budding core.

NBA

Magic Beat Raptors for Second Win in a Row

Published

1 year ago

December 9, 2022

Mike Brodsky

ORLANDO, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Orlando Magic (7-20) continued their winning ways against the Toronto Raptors (13-13), defeating them 113-109 , just two days after a come-from-behind overtime victory against the Los Angeles Clippers. This two game winning streak puts an end to the Magic’s previous nine game losing streak.

The Magic started strong, taking a 37-25 lead into the second quarter, led by 10 first quarter points from Franz Wagner. But the Raptors caught up to the Magic midway through the second quarter led by Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent Jr. But at halftime, the Magic held a slight lead, 67-63.

The Magic extended their lead to 94-87 with remarkably impressive scoring from Franz Wagner who added 14 points in the third quarter alone. In the fourth quarter, the Raptors tied it up 108-108 with about two minutes remaining after two free throws by OG Anunoby. Paolo Banchero made one of two subsequent free throws, and Moe Wagner drew the charge from Gary Trent Jr. to negate his two point basket. Fred Van Vleet later added a free throw to tie the game at 109-109. A Franz Wagner tip layup put the Magic up 111-109. A missed shot by Fred Van Vleet sealed the Raptors loss. Banchero’s two free throws put the Magic ahead 113-109 at the end of the game.

Franz Wagner led the scoring for the Magic with 34 points, while Paolo Banchero scored 23. Mo Bamba finished with 13 rebounds. Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz ended with 5 assists.

Several Magic players remain injured and were unable to play, including Wendell Carter Jr. (plantar fascia strain), Gary Harris (strained right hamstring), Chuma Okeke (left knee soreness), Jalen Suggs (right ankle soreness) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee recovery). Isaac has started his rehab program, playing in full contact 5 on 5 practice games with the Lakeland G League affiliate, and hopes to return to the court soon for Orlando.

The Magic face the Raptors at Amway once again on Sunday, 12/11 at 6:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

NBA

Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic Beat Memphis Grizzlies 109-105 in Preseason Home Opener

Published

2 years ago

October 11, 2022

Mellissa Thomas

Orlando Magic #1 draft pick Paolo Banchero (in white) blocks a shot during the Orlando Magic's preseason home opener against the Memphis Grizzlies at Amway Center Tuesday, October 11, 2022. Photo: J. Willie David III/Florida National News.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The Orlando Magic returned home to Amway Center to host the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night; the teams’ second match with each other this preseason. Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley made a point to rotate many his key players through in just the first quarter. Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins also mentioned he would take a similar route in a pregame interview, saying he planned to run 11 players in Tuesday night’s game.

First Half

As anticipated, Orlando Magic first round draft pick Paolo Banchero got busy putting up points, leading in the first quarter with nine. Banchero continued to lead the Magic in scoring in the first half with 13 points while Franz Wagner led in rebounds with eight and Wendell Carter Jr. carried the weight in assists with six. Banchero also led in free throws at 100 percent, nailing all five.

Though the Magic led in the points, the truth is the Grizzlies actually made great shot opportunities for themselves, but many of the shots just didn’t land. Not for lack of trying: Ja Morant was 2 for 11 on field goals and clocked seven points, Dillon Brooks went 2 for 6 and clocked six points, and Desmond Bane, who led the Grizzlies with 17 points in the first half, went 6 for 9 on field goals.

The Magic led in points in the paint with 20 compared to the Grizzlies’ 18 and in second chance points with five to the Grizzlies’ two. Memphis did lead in fast break points, though, with 13 to Orlando’s eight.

For the Magic, Terrence Ross was second in scoring with eight points in the first half. Orlando’s other draft pick rookie, Caleb Houstan, contributed five points in the first half. Bol Bol humbly contributed two. Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter Jr. and Franz Wagner each contributed seven points.

By halftime, the Magic had a seven-point lead, 54-47.

Second Half

Either the Grizzlies came alive in the second half or the Magic slowed down, but the Grizzlies were much more successful in scoring. Desmond Bane put up six more points in the third quarter as did Santi Aldama. Banchero and (Franz) Wagner maxed out at three additional points in the third. The Grizzlies closed the scoring gap and went into the fourth with only a six-point deficit, 77-71.

The Grizzlies clawed through the fourth quarter, narrowing Orlando’s lead to just one point with only four minutes left in the game. However, the Magic managed get more points on the board and widen the gap again by five points in the final two minutes. The rest of the game was a bit of a nail biter for Magic fans, seeing the lead shrink and grow between two and five points with fouls and free throws for Terrence Ross for the Magic and Ja Morant for the Grizzlies.

For the Magic, Wendell Carter Jr. topped in scoring with 18 points and 8 assists, with Paolo Banchero and Terrence Ross backing him up each with 17 points.

All in all, the Magic won 109-105. They have one more home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday, October 14 at 7pm ET, before getting back on the road.

____________________________________

Mellissa Thomas is Editor for Florida National News.

Orlando

Orlando Magic Sign Kevon Harris to Two-Way Contract

Published

2 years ago

July 25, 2022

Willie David

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Kevon Harris (KEE-von) to a two-way contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

Harris (6’6”, 216, 6/24/97) played in 24 games (23 starts) last season with Raptors 905 of the NBA G League, averaging 15.1 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 3.6 apg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 30.2 minpg. Most recently, he played and started in all five games with Minnesota during the NBA 2K23 Summer League 2022, averaging 15.8 ppg., 2.8 rpg., 2.0 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 27.1 minpg.

Not drafted by an NBA franchise, Harris has played in 31 career NBA G League regular season games (23 starts), all with Raptors 905, averaging 12.4 ppg., 4.7 rpg. and 2.9 apg. in 25.5 minpg.

Harris played in 127 career games (104 starts) during four seasons at Stephen F. Austin (2016-20), averaging 14.4 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.05 stlpg. in 28.0 minpg., while shooting .397 (188-474) from three-point range. As a senior (2019-20), he played and started in 31 games, averaging 17.5 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 2.1 apg. and 1.52 stlpg. in 29.3 minpg., while shooting .413 (59-143) from three-point range. Harris was named First Team All-Southland Conference and the 2019-20 Southland Conference Player of the Year. He also earned Second Team All-Southland Conference twice (2017-18, 2018-19).

Harris will wear #7 with the Orlando Magic.

Per NBA rules, teams are permitted to have a maximum of two players under two-way contracts in addition to the players under standard NBA contracts. A two-way player is also eligible to provide services to Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic.