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NBA: The Best 2016 Free Agent For Every Team

By Ryan Blackburn

May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the Air Canada Centre prior to Indiana Pacers playing Toronto Raptors in game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the Air Canada Centre prior to Indiana Pacers playing Toronto Raptors in game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) brings the ball up court as Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) defends during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Rockets 88-86. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) brings the ball up court as Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) defends during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Rockets 88-86. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Orlando Magic – Dwight Howard

Another interesting player-team fit is Dwight Howard making a return to the Orlando Magic.

While the Magic currently employ Nikola Vucevic as their starting center, much has been made of the Magic needing to upgrade due to his defensive deficiencies. Even though Vucevic is skilled enough offensively to justify leaving him in the lineup, the Magic have been left out of the playoffs every single season since Howard left Orlando.

The Magic currently have the 11th spot in the draft and are in standings purgatory. They aren’t good enough to make the playoffs and they aren’t bad enough to draft a potential game-changer. That means that they need to hope for internal development, make trades, or sign free agents they hope can contribute to the playoff chase.

Much has been made of Howard killing the chemistry of the teams that he has been on, but for both the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets, the shoe could just as easily be on somebody else’s foot. Howard still remains a top flight option as a defensive center, and he’s devastating on the pick and roll on offense when healthy.

The Magic may choose to simply hope their youth continues to develop, but they would be best served exploring their options with regard to Howard. He may supplant Vucevic as the starter, who might even be traded in this situation, but imagining a trade for a player like Paul George isn’t unreasonable when including Vucevic, Victor Oladipo and/or Elfrid Payton plus draft picks. That would certainly make Howard think twice about going back to his first team.

Either way, the Magic have a need defensively, and Howard provides that in full force.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers