The Magic enter the offseason with several smaller decisions to make with their own roster and the financial wiggle room to lure a veteran via free agency or trade.
It only adds to the promise they displayed all regular season and into the first round of the playoffs, where they stretched the more experienced Cavaliers to a seven-game series.
For the Magic, it all starts with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, though so many others played underrated yet pivotal roles — from Cole Anthony to Wendell Carter Jr. to Gary Harris, Markelle Fultz, Moritz Wagner, Jonathan Isaac and Joe Ingles.
“The Banchero ($12,160,800), Wagner ($7,007,092) and Suggs ($9,188,385) trio remain cheap heading into the 2024-25 season, and of the younger talents, only Cole Anthony ($12.9 million) has been paid in his second contract so far,” wrote Mark Deeks of HoopsHype. “Eight-figure or near eight-figure commitments to veterans such as Wendell Carter Jr ($11,950,000), Joe Ingles ($11 million) and Mo Wagner ($8 million) reside on the books, but none are detrimental, and while the $17.4 million still owed to the fragile Jonathan Isaac next season stands alone as an anomaly, that contract only has one year left to run, and is also unguaranteed due to his past injuries.”
Deeks went into further detail.
“Financially, then, Orlando is quite well positioned and is further aided this summer by the combined $30 million expiring salaries of Gary Harris and Markelle Fultz,” he wrote. “They also still have their 2024 first-round pick, due to be No. 18, and have several picks from other teams coming their way in future seasons, with none outgoing.”
So, yes, the Magic have plenty of ways to build around their younger core — or frankly, the ability to just stay the course and maintain financial flexibility while taking the next steps under coach Jamahl Mosley.
The great thing about Orlando is this is a team that is on the rise and really doesn’t need to change a thing — but can add additional firepower fairly seamlessly if it chooses.
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