Hoops Habit
Fansided

Orlando Magic: Buy or sell each pending 2020-21 free agent

By Luke Duffy

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 08: Wes Iwundu #25 of the Orlando Magic stands on the court in the second half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 08, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 08: Wes Iwundu #25 of the Orlando Magic stands on the court in the second half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 08, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic (Photo by Ashley Landis – Pool/Getty Images) /

Michael Carter-Williams – Buy

The biggest and most interesting decision the Orlando Magic will make this offseason is around what to do with Michael Carter-Williams. It is clear he plays his best basketball under coach Clifford, as he had a nice run in the past with the Charlotte Hornets, but it is also clear that his game means you are limited in how you can play him in today’s NBA.

He doesn’t really shoot 3-pointers and is below average offensively. Something the Magic can’t afford to have much more of after some anemic offensive showings in recent years. Defensively however he was a borderline revelation for the Magic once he got comfortable, helping them go to even greater heights on that end under coach Clifford’s schemes.

The question is how much do the Magic that and do they believe he can be the backup to Fultz? Even if he’s not used strictly in this way, as a lead ball-handler on a second unit, the length of Carter-Williams means that he can play across multiple positions off the bench, the kind of versatility that other organizations would like to have.

Had it not worked for Carter-Williams in Orlando then he could have been out of the league. But it did work, so if the Magic offer him a deal it will be interesting to see how much for. His value has increased thanks to his efforts with the Magic, and at 28 his best basketball could still be ahead of him.

The franchise also has his bird rights, meaning they can offer him more money and it won’t count against their cap. All enticing reasons to bring him back, and this is the decision that the Magic should make. Few players care as much as Carter-Williams on the court, he has really bought into what the team is trying to do.

The Magic aren’t going to be contenders anytime soon by the looks of it, and Carter-Williams has worked out well for them. On top of that, free agents generally don’t go to Orlando unless a contender is in place. Bring him back and if he continues to get better, the front office has a valuable trade piece down the road as well.

Home/Orlando Magic