Grading the 2019 NBA offseason for all 30 franchises
Orlando Magic
Following an unexpected appearance in the 2019 postseason, the Orlando Magic were quick to re-sign two key members that helped end a seven-year playoff drought.
The deals were finalized before free agency technically even started, showing a level of commitment that will foster some stability moving forward.
Nikola Vucevic blossomed this past season with career-highs in points, rebounds and assists with an inaugural All-Star appearance to boot.
His four-year, $100 million contract is significantly less hamstringing than some of the other deals handed out over the summer and keeps Orlando’s best player in town.
After being given the biggest role of his career, Terrence Ross took full advantage of the greater responsibilities to also average career-best marks in points, rebounds and assists.
The seven-year vet is a streaky shooter who’s never shot above 44.0 percent from the field in any season, but his 38.3 3-point percentage was one the perimeter-starved Magic wanted to re-sign.
Keeping Nikola Vucevic was a necessity for the #Magic, @philiprr_OMD writes: https://t.co/fhHpetwOMg
— Orlando Magic Daily (@OMagicDaily) July 15, 2019
In attempting to upgrade their roster, the front office went a strange route. This was a team in desperate need of more shooting as well as improvements at the point guard spot.
Instead, Orlando brought in Al Farouq-Aminu, an athletic and versatile forward with an inconsistent outside shot.
Aminu’s deal worth $29 million over three years doesn’t handcuff the Magic much, but it was a strange use of their money. Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac seemed to be intertwined at the power forward slot along with the recently drafted Chuma Okeke.
Aminu is too inconsistent shooting to play the 3-spot and not big enough to function at the center spot.
The Magic aren’t like most teams. After seven years in the cellars without any type of guarantee, simply making the playoffs is good enough for them. It’s why they re-signed two players to function as their leaders when most other franchises wouldn’t stand for that type of plateauing.
Even considering that goal, bringing in Aminu made little sense given the vast array of other options available on the open market. In a conference with a distinct cut-off near the top, it was a golden opportunity to improve what wasn’t fully taken advantage of.
Grade: C+