Free agency is almost here and the Magic have work to do. This should be the most exciting offseason for the franchise in quite some time.
With core players (Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs) in place and a first playoff run under their belt, the Magic have a chance to build a contender. This offseason is an opportunity to take another step in the right direction.
Since it is such an important summer, the Magic must make the right moves and spend their money on the right players. So let’s look at three mistakes in free agency that the Orlando Magic should avoid making.
The idea of adding a star player to this young team is exciting. It could accelerate the team’s timeline and take them to the top of the Eastern Conference faster than expected. However, rushing the development of a young team and betting on a single player so early in the journey can be incredibly risky.
The Magic have plenty of cap space available this summer, enough to potentially attract some of the biggest names in free agency. However, this team needs more than one player and the Magic can’t afford to spend all their money on a single free agent. They also can’t afford to get a solid collaborator and then assume the job is done.
Sure, they should look to add entry-level talent, but they can’t do it at the expense of too much depth. After a short playoff run, the Magic are not just one piece away from competing for a championship. First, they have to establish themselves as a true force in the Eastern Conference, and to do that, they’ll need more than one capable new contributor. With the amount of cap space the Magic have, they should be able to get an entry-level player and someone in the mid-level exception range.
