The Orlando Magic prioritized fixing their offense during the summer. They gave up four first-round picks for Desmond Bane, brought in Tyus Jones, and drafted Jase Richardson. It seemed that for the first time in their careers, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero would have spacing around them. That has not materialized this year.
Orlando is 11th in offensive rating on the season, but that number is very deceiving. They are 21st in true-shooting percentage, 26th in three-point percentage, 26th in three-point makes per game, and 18th in field-goal percentage. They have also completely unraveled offensively this month, as they are 25th in offensive rating.
While the Magic have dealt with injuries to Wagner and Banchero, they still do not have enough offensive firepower. Their lack of shooting has doomed them in each of their last two playoff runs. There is one guard that will be available at the trade deadline that would boost the Magic’s firepower.
Orlando should acquire Malik Monk to help their offense
The Magic were set to go after Monk when he was a free agent a couple offseasons ago, but he re-signed with the Kings as soon as free agency opened. With Sacramento looking to shake things up on their roster, Orlando should pursue Monk.
Monk has been one of the NBA’s better offensive reserves over the last few seasons. He has averaged at least 13 points per game the last five seasons and has shot better than 35 percent from three-point range in four of them.
This year, Monk’s scoring is down to 12 PPG, but his minutes have gone down to 23 a night as well. He is still efficient from downtown, shooting 41 percent from three-point range. He’s also knocking down 42 percent of his catch and shoot threes and 45 percent of his open threes. Both of those figures would lead the Magic roster.
Monk would complete the Magic’s reserve unit
Orlando has seen Anthony Black emerge as an important rotational piece and adding Monk next to him would give the team a dangerous reserve duo. Monk also offers movement shot creation and slashing that the Magic need more of.
Orlando has the assets to acquire Monk. Adding another experienced shooter and scorer for their bench would make them more complete as a contender in the East. The conference is wide-open, so any move around the margins to improve their shot creating and floor-spacing would benefit the Magic in a big way.