The 5 worst signings of 2019 NBA free agency
3. Al-Farouq Aminu
Al-Farouq Aminu managed to carve out a solid niche up with the Portland Trail Blazers over the last four seasons. He’s not a big-time contributor in any single column, but he’s a lanky defender who can guard multiple positions with a decent 3-point stroke.
The former Wake Forest alum brings a level of versatility that could benefit a number of different teams looking to ascend up the standings. Given the makeup of their roster, the Orlando Magic weren’t one of them, which makes their decision to hand Aminu a three-year contract worth $29 million all the more puzzling.
Orlando’s done a great job over the years of stockpiling assets in the frontcourt. Nikola Vucevic blossomed into a first-time All-Star at the center spot while Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac seem to have locked up the 4-spot for the foreseeable future.
Just kind of realizing the Magic went to $127.5 million re-signing dudes to four-year deals and signing Al-Farouq Aminu to double-down on a 42-win team.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) July 9, 2019
This… does not seem great.
Meanwhile, the Magic have lacked help along the perimeter for quite some time now. They finished 12th in 3-point makes and 11th in percentage but lack the reputable snipers to truly stretch out a defense. D.J. Augustin proved valuable running the show all season long, but compared to his contemporaries, the journeyman is hardly a long-term solution.
With over 200 available free agents, the front office could’ve gone in a number of different routes to help build on the most successful season in seven years. Instead, Orlando left its deficiencies to fester with a player whose presence will only complicate the rotation even further.