Orlando Magic: 3 takeaways from the 2018 offseason

After several 2018 draft picks and some trade movements, we take a look at three takeaways from the Orlando Magic offseason thus far.

Just when you thought the Orlando Magic were done making moves this offseason, they keep us on our toes again. After trading away two-way guard Rodney Purvis to the Oklahoma City Thunder for center Dakari Johnson on Monday, Orlando traded Johnson to the Memphis Grizzlies for forward Jarell Martin. Martin is a good pickup for Johnson, who probably would have never played for the Magic, and adds to an interesting offseason for Orlando.

After finishing the 2017-18 season at 25-57, the Magic needed some obvious help. Trading away incumbent starting point guard Elfrid Payton for a second round pick at the trade deadline meant that the Magic were left without a true starting point guard.

Injuries to Terrence Ross and Jonathan Isaac also meant the team’s depth was limited, and the underachieving of Jonathan Simmons and Nikola Vucevic led to a season that was mostly a dud. A lone bright spot in the development of Aaron Gordon wasn’t enough to break 30 wins or be competitive in the weak Eastern Conference.

This offseason, the Magic needed to attempt to upgrade nearly every position except for power forward. A strategy that was pretty clear to all Magic fans — you know, the one where they attempt to get a star point guard — didn’t end up happening.

Instead, the Magic tried their hand at the complete opposite. Picking Mohamed Bamba in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft with the sixth overall pick was a steal, but it prompted moves afterward that surprised fans and pundits alike because of the Magic’s clogged frontcourt.

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Firing Frank Vogel after two seasons at the helm was a surprising but necessary move. Getting Steve Clifford, the defensive-minded former Charlotte Hornets head coach, was a great move for a team that needed a fresh start and a different identity.

After a coaching change and a surprising draft, the Magic decided it was time to let Mario Hezonja go in free agency, waive Shelvin Mack, trade away a bloated contract in Bismack Biyombo and make some subtle moves like trading for Jerian Grant and signing Isaiah Briscoe from the Estonian League.

While getting a star guard seemed to be back-burner affairs for the Magic front office, especially after drafting Bamba, Melvin Frazier and Justin Jackson, the Magic were actually able to make some positive moves, even if they were subtle. Let’s take a look at three takeaways from the 2018 offseason thus far for the Orlando Magic.