The with the ability to open up a significant amount of cap space — but don’t expect them to chase any “big-name” targets.
The Magic are projected to have between $28.2-$29.1 million in cap space, the third-most amount in the league, .
But with a young core — including , the No. 1 pick in last week’s draft, , , , , and others — already in place and Orlando having its own free agents it’s interested in bringing back, expect the Magic to be shrewd with their cap space.
Especially since they’re looking to give their young players more opportunities in 2022-23 and are expected to prioritize being financially flexible during the 2023 offseason.
Still, there will be moves on the table to be made when free agency officially opens at 12:01 a.m. Friday.
Teams may communicate with free agents starting at 6 p.m. Thursday before agreeing to terms six hours later.
The free agency moratorium is a negotiation period from Friday through July 6 in which teams can come to terms on contracts and other deals while the new salary cap numbers are adjusted after an audit of league finances. Those deals can become official at 12:01 p.m. on July 6.
If Mo Bamba, who the Magic allowed to become an unrestricted free agent by not extending him a qualifying offer, signs elsewhere, Orlando could be in the market for another big man.
They could also surround their younger players with a couple of more veterans. The Magic will also likely prioritize shooting, with their 33.1% 3-point percentage in 2021-22 being the league’s third-worst mark.
Here are 12 free agents to keep an eye on, including ones who played for the Magic in 2021-22:
Guards
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 210 pounds | Age: 27
2021-22 averages (with Magic): 11.1 points (43.4% from the field — 49.4% on 2s, 38.4% on 3s), 2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1 steal in 28.4 minutes (61 games — 30 starts)
Wayne Ellington (unrestricted free agent)
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 207 pounds | Age: 34
2021-22 averages (with Los Angeles Lakers): 6.7 points (41.4% from the field — 61.5% on 2s, 38.9% on 3s) and 1.8 rebounds in 18.8 minutes (43 games — nine starts).
Rodney McGruder (unrestricted free agent)
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 205 pounds | Age: 30
2021-22 averages (with Detroit Pistons): 5.4 points (43.6% from the field — 50.6% on 2s, 39.7% on 3s) and 2.2 rebounds in 14.8 minutes (51 games — two starts).
Forwards
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 221 pounds | Age: 23
2021-22 averages (with Magic): 5.4 points (43.1% from the field — 53.5% on 2s, 31% on 3s) and 1.7 rebounds in 12.8 minutes (42 games — one start).
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 241 pounds | Age: 25
2021-22 averages (with Magic): 3.8 points (41.9% from the field — 56% on 2s, 32.9% on 3s) and 2.3 rebounds in 12.3 minutes (38 games — one start).
Cody Martin (restricted free agent)
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 205 pounds | Age: 26
2021-22 averages (with Charlotte Hornets): 7.7 points (48.2% from the field — 54.2% on 2s, 38.4% on 3s), 4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 26.3 minutes (71 games — 11 starts).
Caleb Martin (restricted free agent)
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 205 pounds | Age: 26
2021-22 averages (with Miami Heat): 9.2 points (50.7% from the field — 56.5% on 2s, 41.3% on 3s), 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1 steal in 22.9 minutes (60 games — 12 starts).
Bigs
Height: 7 feet | Weight: 231 pounds | Age: 24
2021-22 averages (with Magic): 10.6 points (48% from the field — 56.3% on 2s, 38.1% on 3s), 8.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.2 assists in 25.7 minutes (71 games — 69 starts).
Height: 7-foot-2 | Weight: 220 pounds | Age: 22
2021-22 averages (with Denver Nuggets before February trade to Magic): 2.4 points (55.6% from the field — 60.9% on 2s, 25% on 3s) and 1.4 rebounds in 5.8 minutes (14 games).
Isaiah Hartenstein (unrestricted free agent)
Height: 7 feet | Weight: 250 pounds | Age: 24
2021-22 averages (with Los Angeles Clippers): 8.3 points (62.6% from the field — 64% on 2s, 46.7% on 3s), 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 blocks in 17.9 minutes (68 games).
Height: 7 feet | Weight: 281 pounds | Age: 34
2021-22 averages (with Magic): 7.1 points (55.3% from the field — 56% on 2s, 33.3% on 3s), 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 17 minutes (36 games — nine starts).
Thomas Bryant (unrestricted free agent)
Height: 6-foot-10 | Weight: 248 pounds | Age: 24
2021-22 averages (with Washington Wizards): 7.4 points (52% from the field — 61.3% on 2s, 28.6% on 3s) and 4 rebounds in 16.3 minutes (27 games — nine starts).
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