Orlando Magic
If Ben Simmons is truly on the market, the Orlando Magic is another team that could be viewed as in a position to take on the risk. Heading into the offseason, one of the Magic’s biggest weaknesses was at the point guard position. The reporting suggested that the Magic were going to address the position in an attempt to find playmaking help. But Orlando didn’t make a move for Fred VanVleet, which many expected them to do heading into free agency.
Instead, the Magic took a shot on two guards in the 2023 NBA Draft. Orlando drafted Jett Howard with the No. 11 overall pick, but it was the player they selected with the No. 6 overall pick (Anthony Black) that the team hopes will develop into their long-term answer at the position. However, I’m not sure how fair it is to expect a 19-year-old rookie to have that level of impact on a team.
Orlando may have hit on a budding star in Paolo Banchero, but he was the No. 1 overall pick. The odds that Black ends up having that level of campaign during his first season in the league are low. That’s where taking a flier on a playmaking guard like Simmons could make sense.
For all the questions about Simmons, his playmaking ability is never something that’s been a concern. If the Magic is open and OK with paying him big money for two years, perhaps it could work.