Orlando Magic Veteran Decisions

The Orlando Magic have finally hit the reset button. The roster has now transitioned where every player on the team has been acquired by the current front office. Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Evan Fournier were good players of an old regime in former Magic General Manager Rob Hennigan. Jeff Weltman, the President of Basketball Operations for Orlando, was given a difficult situation with a salary-capped roster and unequal talent to back up the contractual obligations. The team has finally moved into a new era and now Magic fans are looking to see young players develop into new roles that will garner title contention in the coming years. 

NBA teams cannot be constructed with only young players and be successful. Veterans need to even out rosters to demonstrate professionalism and mentor players so that they understand what it takes to win in this league. Luckily, the Orlando Magic have a great group of veterans. Terrence Ross will be the captain moving forward, as he indicated in his tweet after the deadline. Gary Harris also looks to be in Orlando’s plans moving forward as he has one year left on his deal after this season. I think the Magic should do their due diligence on Harris to show his value to other teams if he can perform in a larger offensive role that simply wasn’t available in Denver. He is still only 26 and has dealt with injuries the last two seasons. If he can stay healthy he will be a much needed asset for the Magic if he can return to his elite long range shooting ability. 

The only other true veteran locked in after this season is Michael Carter-Williams, and he is in an interesting position. The Magic already have three young point guards in Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, and R.J. Hampton. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that Fultz will be available at the start of next season, so it could make sense to keep MCW for 2021-22. He is on a team-friendly deal and can defend the 2 and 3 so he can hypothetically share the floor with these young guards. He is also a great role model with the effort he provides regardless of the scoreboard. In my opinion, I would look to deal MCW this offseason or midway through next year once Fultz returns. Hampton and Fultz are far from proving to be capable three point shooters, and MCW will only hurt Orlando’s ability to space the floor and provide open looks. NBA contenders would love MCW for his defensive versatility, grittiness, pace, and a expiring deal so if I were Weltman I would explore options. 

Now we can discuss the three unrestricted free agents. First, I want to talk about Khem Birch. The Canadian product was undrafted out of UNLV after spending some time overseas. He has become one of Coach Clifford’s favorite players and is starting over two top 10 picks in the 2018 NBA draft. He is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals as a 28 year old in his fourth season. Clearly, his timeline doesn’t match Orlando’s rebuild with Wendell CarterJr. and Mo Bamba needing minutes to continue to develop into NBA-caliber centers. I am surprised Orlando didn’t look to deal him at the deadline, but I would be shocked if he is resigned this offseason. The Magic have plenty of depth at the 4 and 5 positions in Jonathan Isaac, Chuma Okeke, Mo Bamba, and Wendell Carter Jr. 

What can you not love about James Ennis III? The former 2nd round pick has played 7 seasons in the NBA for 7 different clubs. This season he is shooting over 43% from 3 on a roster in dire need of shooting. He has also been one of the better perimeter defenders in the NBA in recent years when looking at opposing player shooting efficiency. Ennis III is a vet that I would resign if I were the Magic. He is a great bench piece that plays with the grit and grind that a rebuilding team needs. He would probably take a two year deal worth $8-10 million if he wants stability after years of moving to different cities. If he decides that he would like to be traded to a contender down the road, the Magic can retain some value in a trade the following summer or deadline before his deal expires.

Last but not least, Otto Porter Jr. was acquired in the Nikola Vucevic deal in March. He has had a difficult time finding the court since being dealt to the Chicago Bulls (It seems that the Magic love injured players). He was given a max contract by the Washington Wizards back when they were perennial contenders in the Eastern Conference with a young trio of John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Porter Jr. He was shooting over 43% from 3 his last two seasons in Washington and was the perfect candidate to be a 3 and D aficionado for years to come. It was a feel-good story in Washington because the Hoya product was a hometown player that the city fell in love with. The business decision to trade him for Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis was puzzling as the Wizards didn’t retain either player but remained cap flexible (sort of). He now has the potential to play the remainder of the season into a new contract. 

Depending on how he performs I think Orlando should give him a new deal. He would probably come off the bench for Chuma Okeke next season but could be had on a 2 year deal (potentially with a team option for a third year) ranging in $12-15 million per season. The decision to retain Porter Jr. would not only bode well for the Magic Front Office dealing a 2-time All-Star for his services, but if healthy Porter Jr. could revitalize his career. The best part about retaining Otto is he won’t be a ball dominant player. He moves in space on the offensive end and can be a safety outlet for Fultz, Anthony, Hampton, Okeke, etc. to create and kick. Porter Jr. plays within himself and is also excellent on the defensive end. Both Harris and Porter Jr. can continue to form Orlando’s identity as the best defensive team in the NBA with the return of Jonathan Isaac. They can also help fill the void of floor spacing with the absence of Vucevic and Fournier moving forward. 

The Orlando Magic will continue to have a busy offseason with two draft picks, potentially both in the top 10, in the upcoming 2021 NBA Draft. No decisions will be made regarding the current roster until those two players have been added to the core, but if I were Orlando I would bring back James Ennis III and Otto Porter Jr. on bargain deals to help the Magic brass continue to grow into what Jeff Weltman envisions.