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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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May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo (8) smiles as he holds the ball at the end of a 105-99 win over Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Bringing Aboard Biyombo

If you were starting to feel confused about what the hell the Magic were trying to build in their frontcourt, it’s time to roll out a classic, cheesy infomercial line: But wait, there’s more!

With a whopping four-year, $68 million contract for Bismack Biyombo, Orlando managed to gum up the works AND overpay a boom-or-bust free agent in the process.

Look, it’s understandable why Biyombo got paid this summer: the NBA’s skyrocketing salary cap, Orlando having plenty of cap space, Biyombo stepping in for an injured Jonas Valanciunas in the playoffs to average 6.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game as the Raptors made their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in franchise history, yada yada yada.

But for a guy who averaged a humdrum 5.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game last season, Biyombo making as much money per year as Evan Fournier just feels wrong — especially with the positional overlap in that frontcourt.

Seriously, what’s the plan here? Starting Gordon at the 3, Ibaka at the 4 and Vucci Mane at the 5 to bring Green and Biyombo off the bench would make Biyombo a VASTLY overpaid backup center, especially after the 23-year-old showed sustainable signs of potential in the playoffs and could’ve gotten a starting job elsewhere.

Could Orlando possibly start Biyombo over Vucevic? Would Vucci Mane accept a sixth man role like Enes Kanter did in OKC? Or are the Magic looking for trade Vucci Mane?

Maybe Biyombo’s contract will look like a bargain a year or two and Orlando could swing a deal for him. Maybe he’s insurance in case Ibaka leaves next summer. Maybe the long-term plan is to pair Biyombo and Ibaka with a combination of stifling defenders and rim protectors.

But right now, there are far too many questions and not enough answers about how Vogel will be able to manage such a frontcourt-heavy rotation with so many mismatched skill sets.

For another team searching for high-upside youngsters that also had a vacancy at center, this might have made sense. For Orlando, the only way this makes any sort of sense is if it’s the first domino in a larger string of moves.

Grade: C-

Next: The Meeks Shall Inherit The Contract

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