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Orlando Magic: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 30, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) drives to the basket as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Orlando Magic 139-136 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) drives to the basket as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Orlando Magic 139-136 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) drives the ball down court during the second half of a basketball game against the Detroit Pistons at Amway Center. The Pistons won 108-104. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Five For Fournier

With Oladipo gone, re-signing restricted free agent Evan Fournier became a higher priority for the Magic. Though Dipo’s ceiling was (and still is) undoubtedly higher because of his defense and athleticism, Fournier is currently the better scorer and perimeter shooter.

Bearing all that in mind, re-signing an up-and-coming 23-year-old like Fournier to a five-year, $85 million extension is actually pretty great value, especially under the new cap.

Last season, Fournier posted a career-high 15.4 points per game on efficient .462/.400/.836 shooting splits. He didn’t really contribute anywhere else, but he was easily one of Orlando’s best perimeter shooters and is still expanding his offensive repertoire.

With an average annual salary of $17 million, the Magic are — in the first year of his deal — essentially paying Fournier the equivalent of a $12.7 million contract under last year’s salary cap.

That number will continue to drop as the salary cap increases, and considering how extravagant some of this summer’s contracts were, this is a relative bargain. More desperate suitors might have offered a max with a higher annual salary, and Fournier’s discounted extension left the Magic with extra cap room.

Unfortunately, just like with the Tobias Harris trade, they weren’t able to put it to very good use. Keeping Fournier around was a no-brainer after dealing Oladipo, and he fits better with what the Magic want to accomplish next season. Bringing him back on something of a bargain deal doesn’t hurt either, even if his ceiling isn’t as high as Oladipo’s.

Grade: B

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