Following a successful 2023–24 season, the Orlando Magic will look to build on their success this summer. They are projected to have almost $50 million in cap space to work with and will likely prioritize shooting to address their biggest flaw.
Fortunately for them, there are two stars that are expected to be available this summer. According to NBA insider Mark Stein, they are expected to be strong suitors for LA Clippers forward Paul George and Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson.
The Orlando Magic is a team to monitor for Paul George and Klay Thompson, per @TheSteinLine
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 9, 2024
“Orlando continues to be mentioned by various league observers as a natural suitor for George as well as Golden State's Klay Thompson. The Clippers certainly hope to retain George in… pic.twitter.com/ROlnULcKEm
Although they wouldn't be able to sign both players, the Magic could poach either George or Thompson away from the Clippers or Warriors and negatively affect those teams while boosting their own.
Do the Orlando Magic have a chance at landing either Paul George or Klay Thompson?
George is generally expected to re-sign with the Clippers, though the Philadelphia 76ers could also make a strong play for him. That means the Magic will have competition to try and acquire the nine-time all-star. On the other hand, Thompson and the Warriors still appear to be far apart on a new contract and the Magic might be better served aggressively pursuing him.
Although he is 34 years old, he is still a terrific shooter and would almost single-handedly boost the Magic's offense, considering they ranked 29th in 3-point percentage this season. Better still, assuming that Thompson would only eat up around half of their cap space, they could add another shooter or two in free agency and potentially emerge as a top four team in the Eastern Conference next season.
Ultimately, signing Thompson seems to be a much more realistic route for the Magic to take. Given that Orlando hasn't landed a big-name free agent in years, since adding Rashard Lewis back in 2007, doing so might help them reestablish themselves as a free agent or trade destination like the Miami Heat have been.