After a successful free agency period, the Orlando Magic will certainly be a team to watch heading into the 2019-20 season
The NBA free agent season has finally come. Those first few hours had that same feeling many of us would have on Christmas morning as we would rush to the tree early in the morning eagerly anticipating opening our presents. Then, later in the day, we would excitedly recount to friends and family members what new toys Santa had brought us.
For the Orlando Magic, while some of their signed free agents are not exactly “new toys”, there could be a sense of brewing optimism in central Florida that has not been experienced for some time.
Of their four signings, three of them were players who the Magic organization were able to retain from their 42-40 team from this season.
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Beginning with all-star center Nikola Vucevic, Orlando was able to secure the player who led them back to their first postseason since 2012 as the Magic won their sixth division in franchise history, and finished in seventh place in the Eastern Conference to clinch a playoff berth.
Vucevic averaged 20.8 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 blocks, 1.1 triples and 1.0 steal per game in 2018-19, numbers that all matched or surpassed his previous career-best marks.
The Magic also re-signed Terrence Ross to a four-year deal worth $54 million. Among his highlights for the regular season, Ross became the first player to score 200 3-point baskets without starting one game during the season.
Orlando also brought back Michael Carter-Williams for a one year deal. Carter-Williams, who won the NBA Rookie of the year award in 2014, joined the Magic, after being waived by the Chicago Bulls who acquired him in a trade back in January. He signed a pair of 10-day contracts in mid-March then was signed in April for the balance of the season. Carter-Williams adds some point guard insurance for Orlando, as they sort through what is currently their weakest position.
Twenty-year-old Markelle Fultz has great potential, but questions and concerns about his shooting have been documented ad-nauseam. Fultz, the No. 1 pick of the 2017 draft, will be given every opportunity to earn a regular spot in the Magic rotation.
The incumbent starting point guard is D.J. Augustin, who just completed his 11th season in the NBA. While the numbers are not as flashy as some of his peers at the point guard position, Augustin provides stability (81 games started and played this season) and reliable shooting (47% from the field, 42% from beyond the arc, 87% from the free throw line).
The “new toy” for the Magic comes in the form of Al-Farouq Aminu. The nine-year veteran signed a three-year, $29 million contract and brings frontcourt depth for Orlando. In addition to what he brings to the hardwood, Aminu has a reputation for being a hard worker, nose to the grindstone type of teammate. His name translates to “the chief has arrived” and there’s no question that he will add veteran leadership and mentorship to young players Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Issac and Mo Bamba.
After securing the seventh seed in the East playoffs last year, the Magic have brought back several key pieces to run it back for the 2019-20 season. After several years of futility and irrelevance in the NBA, this coming season could translate into more success for Orlando basketball fans.
A second consecutive division title appears possible, and a move into the sixth or fifth slot into the conference is not out of the realm of possibility. For a team whose jersey sponsor is Disney, this franchise is no longer to be looked upon as a Mickey Mouse organization.