Orlando Magic joins Philadelphia 76ers as potential free-agent destination for nine-time All-Star

According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, these two Eastern Conference teams are keeping tabs on Paul George, given their need for another veteran at the forward spot. 

“There are two teams that are paying very close attention to Paul George: the Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers,” said Shelburne on The Hoop Collective podcast. “Because both of them have the money to throw at him and have a need for a wing, just like him, a veteran guy. Every time I watch the Sixers I’m like, ‘Oh, they could use Paul George.'”

Paul George can make the Orlando Magic a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference

Three-point shooting is one of the weaknesses of the Orlando Magic, which was evident in their 104-103 Game 5 defeat on Tuesday, as they only converted nine of their 31 attempts from long range.

Paul George is a career 38.5 three-point shooter and is a significant upgrade for the Orlando Magic because of his ability to get buckets and defend at a high level. He can also serve as a mentor to the likes of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. 

The Orlando Magic have a huge cap space to work with this offseason, but it would be difficult for them to pry Paul George away from the Los Angeles Clippers since they don’t have his Bird Rights and LA can offer the most average annual money.

And with the Los Angeles Clippers opening a new arena soon, the team isn’t going to let one of their stars walk away for nothing.

The Los Angeles Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard to a three-year, $152 million extension in January, and most expected that Paul George would follow suit. But neither side has come to terms, paving a small opportunity for the Orlando Magic to swoop in.