Random NBA Observations 2017 - 2018

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What moves can the Magic make in the draft and free agency?
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What's next for the Magic? NBAE/Getty Images
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With the hiring of Steve Clifford, the Orlando Magic now have the stability at head coach that has eluded them over the past six seasons (three different head coaches in that span).

The Magic now will turn their offseason focus to the draft, free agency and trade market to get a consistent lottery team back into playoff contention. We break down their options, including Aaron Gordon's restricted free agency.

More summer focus: Click here for every team so far


The final audit of the roster
It was not surprising that the new front office in Orlando led by Jeff Weltman and John Hammond did not make any drastic changes to the roster since being hired before the 2017 draft.

Besides the draft (Jonathan Isaac and Wesley Iwundu) and minor moves in free agency with short-term contracts (Jonathon Simmons, Arron Afflalo, Marreese Speights and Shelvin Mack), the Magic's front office used 2017-18 as an audit on the roster constructed by the previous regime.

The outcome? A team that won 24 games (after starting the season 8-4) with no clear identity and a foundation that has been stripped down from prior trades.

With the evaluation period over, there is now some heavy lifting to do and questions on how the Magic can construct this roster into one that finally develops.

It starts with the June draft (haven't we heard that before) and moves to the pressing issues, starting with the void at starting point guard, the future of Gordon and the combined $30 million in center salaries of Bismack Biyomboand Nikola Vucevic (expiring). The same issues (and questions) that Weltman inherited last June face the Magic front office again.

Treat Gordon's free agency as an asset
How do you evaluate a player who has lost 213 games in four seasons? That is the dilemma the Magic's front office faces when it comes to the restricted free agency of Aaron Gordon.

When healthy, as evident in his first 28 games this season, the forward is on the cusp of being an All-Star. That sample of games alone shows why the 22-year-old will be one of the most sought-after free agents this summer.

Here is how the Magic should handle the Gordon free agency.

The Blake Griffin signing last July and eventual trade to the Detroit Pistons gave a blueprint on how a free agent can be treated as an asset in the future. Griffin was signed to a near-max contract and eventually moved for a lottery pick and package of players on short-term contracts. Had the LA Clippers allowed the forward to leave, only cap flexibility would have been the consolation prize. Instead of letting a player leave for nothing in return, pay a premium with the hope that the on-court value outproduces the actual contract. Or in the case of the Clippers, identify a team on a losing streak like Detroit in the need of a roster makeover.

In the case of Gordon, Orlando's allowing the restricted to free agent to sign with another team and not matching an offer sheet would create flexibility but would see the Magic lose a commodity that cannot be replicated in free agency. Bringing back Gordon benefits Orlando on the court and in the future if a situation arises like it did with the Clippers this past year.

The offseason of Isaac
Can a 20-year-old former lottery pick already have the clock ticking on his future? When it comes to Jonathan Isaac, the answer is yes.

Entering the league last June, many NBA experts (including this one), felt that Isaac could turn into one of the best prospects of a strong 2017 draft class. The Florida State product exemplified traits that teams coveted -- a 6-foot-11 wing with a 7-foot-1 wingspan who can guard four positions, has great feet with the ability to switch on defense, competes on the glass and plays above the rim.

Instead, the No. 6 pick was hindered with ankle injuries to both feet and appeared in just 27 games. It was more of a redshirt season, and while his fellow classmates Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell showed All-NBA promise, Isaac's development was met with injuries.

Clifford is well aware of the growing pains of rookies, having dealt with the inconsistent season of Malik Monk in Charlotte.

Now entering the uncertain future of forward Gordon, Isaac and the Magic are facing a critical offseason to not only help Isaac stay healthy but take steps for which the former lottery pick can be considered a valuable part of the rotation next season.

Summer cap breakdown


Terrence Ross. The players combine to earn $22.8 million in 2018.

Dates to watch
The paperwork is likely drawn up in the Magic's front office for Gordon's qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent if extended by June 30. While the Gordon decision will not illicit a conversation in the front office, the futures of Mack and Khem Birch will.

Signed as a third point guard in the offseason, Mack slid into the backup role after the trade of Elfrid Payton to the Phoenix Suns. The issue in Orlando is that Mack and current starter D.J. Augustin combine to earn $13 million and are best suited for coming off the bench.

Mack has $1 million guaranteed of his $6 million contract with the Magic, having until June 25 to guarantee the remaining salary owed.

Birch is a development project who spent most of the season in the G League and will remain on his $1.4 million contract if not waived by June 29.

Restrictions
Combined with a new front office and a below-average two-year body of work, Orlando elected to decline the $5.2 million contract for former top-five pick Mario Hezonja before the season started. Now five months later, Hezonja has developed into a rotational player and shown glimpses on why Orlando drafted him in 2015.

Because the fourth-year option was declined, Orlando is restricted in offering Hezonja a contract that cannot exceed $5.2 million (the amount declined).

Hezonja continues to intrigue teams based on his upside, and he could see a club (think Sacramento Kings) sign him to a low-risk investment.

Extension-eligible candidates
Vucevic is an interesting case study for the Magic. A starter in 378 games since his arrival in 2012, Vucevic is extension eligible with a modest $12.7 million salary, one that expires after the 2018-19 season.

The quandary in extending Vucevic is that the Magic have $34 million tied up in his backup, Bismack Biyombo. Biyombo was an illogical signing in 2016, considering that Vucevic had proved to be a reliable starter and the Biyombo $17 million cap hit could have been used on a position of value, not one that teams fill with cheaper deals.

Besides Vucevic, Orlando also has Augustin, Ross and Biyombo as extension-eligible.

The draft assets
The good news is that Orlando will have a top pick in June. The downside is that history has not been kind, as shown through missed opportunities in either players traded (Dario Saric, Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis) or drafted (Hezonja and Payton).

The Magic have the Oklahoma City Thunder's first-round pick in 2020, but only if it falls to Nos. 21-30. The first will turn into seconds in 2022 and 2023 if not conveyed.

Here's how ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz have Orlando picking in the 2018 draft:

  • No. 6 (own): Trae Young | G | Oklahoma

  • No. 35 (own): Hamidou Diallo | SG | Kentucky

  • No. 41 (via Hornets): Kevin Hervey | SF | Texas Arlington
 
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