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NBA Free Agency: Grading all 30 teams on signings and trades

By Josh Cornelissen

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors waves to his family during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amalie Arena on January 29, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) 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.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors waves to his family during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amalie Arena on January 29, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) 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. /
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NBA Free Agency
NBA free agency Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images /

2021 NBA Free Agency Grades: Orlando Magic

Key Additions: Robin Lopez (1-yr, $5 million); Mo Wagner (2-yr, minimum)

Key Departures: Otto Porter Jr. (Warriors)

The Orlando Magic spent years stuck in the middle as a fringe playoff team. At the trade deadline last season they decided to embrace the rebuild and traded out their best veteran pieces. The return was a collection of matching salary, draft picks and one intriguing young player, Wendell Carter Jr.

With Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba the Magic have two young centers who went in the top-7 of the 2018 NBA Draft. With no plans on winning this year, and in fact plenty of incentive to lose, the Magic should be giving those two players as much run as they can handle to see how they develop.

That makes it quite peculiar that the Magic have used all of their free-agent bullets thus far on centers. It’s true that the Magic didn’t have many bullets, and it doesn’t matter how they use them right now, but for a team without any natural small forwards, it was strange that they didn’t add a wing.

The Magic might not care about the on-court fit. Lopez, who surely loved signing in Orlando to spend time at nearby Walt Disney World (his twin brother Brook owns a house on Disney property) can be a veteran mentor to Bamba and Carter. Mo Wagner’s younger brother Franz was just drafted eighth overall by the Magic and can help build a level of team camaraderie.

This summer wasn’t ever going to do much for the Magic, but it’s still strange how they chose to dip their toe in the water.

Grade: C+

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