Orlando Magic Rumors: Veterans The Target In Free Agency

Orlando Magic Rumors: The Magic have big plans this offseason, as they are ready to make a splash in free agency this offseason.

Orlando Magic rumors are going to begin picking up again in the coming weeks as they prepare for what will be a busy offseason. With a new head coach in place, the Magic will look to tweak their roster to Frank Vogel’s style after having Scott Skiles for only one season.

Vogel landed in a very good situation, as the Magic have one of the youngest rosters in the NBA. They have a lot of building blocks in place with youngsters high on talent but low on experience.

The Magic have nine players under contract for next season, and only one of them is older than 30.

As a result, the Magic could stand to add some veterans to their roster to help develop the younger players and teach them how to win. That seems to be the plan this summer, as the normally tight-lipped Magic have given a little insight to what they want to do this summer.

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General manager Rob Hennigan expects to be a player once free agency opens July 1 and with good reason. The Magic have a ton of cap space, with anywhere from $34 million to $47 million available to spend.

The plan is to use that space on veterans, because it is the next step in building the Magic back up as a contending team in the Eastern Conference.

"“Because that’s what we need at this point in time to take the next step,” Magic CEO Alex Martins told the Orlando Sentinel. “Secondly, this has been a plan, this has been a process.”"

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The Magic have missed the postseason for four straight seasons after qualifying for the postseason for six consecutive seasons under Stan Van Gundy and Brian Hill.

The Magic have the young talent to begin another lengthy streak of making the postseason, but could use some veterans to help put them over the hump.

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel points out that the Magic tried to add a veteran last season when they offered a max contract to Paul Millsap, who ended up re-signing with the Atlanta Hawks.

It showed that the Magic were serious about adding some veteran talent, and that is what they expect to do this season with the cap space that they possess.

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Robbins speculates that the Magic could go after

,

and

as veteran influences for their team. Of that group, Horford would be the biggest get; Noah has an injury concerns and would make for an awkward fit next to

.

It is tough to imagine West signing with a team as far away from contending as the Magic are after the move he pulled last offseason to leave the Indiana Pacers and join the San Antonio Spurs.

The two forward spots are where the Magic are probably weakest right now, and where they should try and focus their efforts in free agency.

If they want to take the next step, they will have to convince a veteran to join their club to help lead their talented youngsters back to the postseason.

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The Magic have seen their win total improve for three straight seasons, and if they are able to do that again it could result in their first playoff berth since the 2011-12 season. The chances of that happening would increase exponentially if they are able to land a player of Horford’s caliber.