Magic Off-Season Move Grades

By:Jonathan Alicea

Another off-season has come and gone. For a lot of us, it’s the time of year we most look forward too. Sure the regular season is cool, the playoffs are fun, BUT THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THE DRAMA THAT SURROUNDS THE OFF-SEASON. This year, the Magic avoided the spectacle and brought back most of the key guys from last season. There are a few new additions though: Al-Farouq Aminu and PROBABLY Chuma Okeke. Our team (Luke, Stephen, Wyatt and Jonathan) got together and gave our thoughts and graded each individual transaction.

Nikola Vucevic 4yrs/100 mil:



Jonathan Alicea:
  Grade: B-
 Vooch fans and Vooch detractors can agree on one thing: This was not the contract any of us wanted. With that being said, without Nikola Vucevic, this team doesn’t even come close to making the playoffs. Nik was the team’s best player and lone all-star during 18-19 season. As Luke has mentioned, the Magic front office has an obligation  to more than just us fans. At the end of the day, this is a business, and the Magic exist to make money. It’s no secret that the best way get the most bang for your buck as an NBA owner is to field a competitive team. You want the sponsorships, you want to sell season tickets and box seats, you want to be broadcast on national television, you want ESPN to talk about you, you want to sell merchandise etc, and being a 25 win team accomplishes none of that. From a basketball perspective, resigning Vucevic establishes that winning is a priority right now, and the best way to win is ensure that your current best player is locked into a contract. But this move has considerable risk. Will Vucevic be able to sustain his all-star form? How will he look 2-3 years into his contract? Is there still room for Bamba to develop, and if not what does his future hold?

Stephen Cameron
Grade: B-
I am a Vucevic fan and actually think he is more of an underrated (does not mean underpaid) player. Not only is he a fantastic scorer, he play makes for others by drawing double teams, stretches the floor with his 3 point shot and is one of the best passing big man in the league. Not only did he help lead the Magic to a 7th seed in the playoffs he also became the Magic’s first Allstar since Dwight Howard. He was critical to the teams success. I give this grade a B- because I wonder how this will effect the development of Mo Bamba. Unless Bamba outplays Vooch, Bamba will be stick in the second unit. I also think it is 1-2 years two long with no team options. Vooch is a really good player but should not be the 1st option or the heist paid player on a winning team. I think it is fine for the next year or two (especially with it declining in pay each year) but it will be interesting to see how the center position plays out if Vucevic is here the full 4 years of his contract.

Luke Smith
Grade: B-
There’s a lot things to consider with this one. I understand why this organization had to re-sign Vooch. They’ve been a franchise in despair, they built an offense around their already offensively capable center who is a good passer for his size and it helped him walk in to an All-Star Game. Orlando Magic twitter may disparage the signing, but I understand this move in regards to the optics and how they present to the more casual fan, the season ticket holders, the sponsors, and everybody else. We weren’t really in a position as an actual organization (not Basketball team) to let our first All-Star since Dwight walk. In regards to actual game play? I guess I kinda hate it? I don’t hate Vooch, but I’d love for Orlando to have taken the plunge this season and try build around BIG and take a more up-tempo, athleticism driven team in to the 19-20 season. The money he’s on? Look, the salary cap will increase and his decreasing yearly dollar value will present itself as a smaller percentage of a team’s cap. I don’t think it’s gonna be untradeable in the future, I just hope the front office knows exactly when to make the move. 

Wyatt Alan
Grade: B+
2-3 years would have been an A+ for me. Vuc was a fringe All-Star, without a clear option to upgrade the roster the magic went out and got the best player AVAILABLE. Retaining the teams best player was the right move and even a good move. Vuc doesn’t rely on extreme athleticism and we really shouldn’t see regression from him even aging over the next 4 seasons. Declining contract may be easier to trade if necessary in year 3 or 4.



Terrance Ross 4yrs/50 mil (with an additional 4 mil in unlikely performance incentives):

Jonathan Alicea:
Grade: B
The Human Torch! Seemingly the most universally liked Magic player since JJ Redick, Terrance Ross re-upped with the Magic for another 4 years.  The contract isn’t an albatross by any means, but it likely just a year too long for my liking. T-Ross was arguably the 2nd most valuable offensive weapon the Magic had last season, and without him the Magic likely miss the playoffs and replacing his production with limited financial means would’ve been nearly impossible, but the contracts of Ross and Vucevic point to our front office banking on internal improvements of the teams young core to be able to take that next step (potentially a top 4 seed??)

Stephen Cameron:
Grade A
The Human Torch AKA Terrence Ross AKA T-Flight is a fan favorite who just had a career year and got snubbed for 6th man of the year. He set the record for a bench player with 3 pointers (200+ made). He shot the ball at 38.3% from 3 while averaging 15 points per game. He was the ultimate 6th man and the only bright spot from what started from the Victor Oladipo trade a few years back. With a team friendly contract that is descending he is one of the few offensive weapons we have. His game can grow as he ages so I do not expect his performance to descend much over the years. He not only is a fantastic 6th man he can also start if need and has finished the majority of our games in the 2018/19 season. The fact that he was in high demand and decided to stay with us almost nets hims a statute outside of the Amway when he retires, but that might be a ways away with his life time contract. He has his flaws (defense and play making) but that’s a conversation for another day. For now we celebrate and I will do this by watching a Marvel movie in his honor.

Luke Smith
Grade B+
The most beloved 6th man in Magic history? Maybe. Ross had to come back. Internal development from Bamba and maybe… Markelle Fultz being able to score a little as back-up guard will help Terrence Ross. Orlando’s offensive limitations off the bench eventually became easy for teams to try scout against as last season went on and my fear before this offseason is we’d struggle to strengthen our bench and if Ross re-signed, it’d be without a stronger bench around him, allowing teams to hone their defense in on him sooner in to the season. One hypothetical that provides a little hope is this: Clifford’s four guys off the bench (He loves a 9 man rotation) are Bamba, Aminu, Ross and MCW. That’s probably better than last season where we began with rookie Bamba, Simmons, Ross and Grant. There’s a chance some of the pressure is taken off Ross. 

Wyatt Alan
Grade: B+
I didn’t see a clear upgrade over T-Ross (in free agency) for Orlando so retaining talent that was by all means worthy of the 6th man conversation, was a great move. That’s a steep price for a 6th man but Ross is one of the team’s most prolific catch and shoot guys. He needs very little space to get his shot off and has single handedly carried the bench scoring for most of the season. Added depth and talent should help T-Ross and that 2nd unit.


 Al Farouq Aminu 3yrs/29.1 mil


Jonathan Alicea:
Grade: C
Let me begin my saying this: I love Al Farouq Aminu. In fact, I think Aminu is the most talented free agent signing the Magic have had since maybe Mickael Pietrus in 2008 or Brandon Bass in 2009. However, Aminu plays the same position as the teams two best young players, Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. Aminu doesn’t fill a huge need on this roster, and doesn’t really do enough to justify paying him over 10 million a year to play backup minutes behind Isaac and Gordon. Furthermore, this move signifies that Aaron Gordon, who played 40% of his minutes last year at SF, will be designated to full time minutes at that position. This also point to Wes Iwundu, who was just as instrumental to the team’s playoff run as anybody else, will be forced out of the rotation. Once again, with perimeter playmaking such a huge need for this team, it’s really odd to see them use the entirety of their MLE on another combo forward, especially when guys like Derrick Rose, Rodney Hood, Seth Curry, Tomas Satoransky, Delon Wright, Jeremy Lamb, JJ Redick and Austin Rivers all signed for similar contracts or less. Aminu has the talent, but my concern will be the fit.

Stephen Cameron:
Grade A
This signing had controversy all over it. The team needed play making bad this offseason having one of the worst offenses in the league last season. Yet they signed a defensive specialist. The more I thought and processed this signing though I really like it. Our second unit was a absolute mess last year and lost us multiple games. The fit with Grant, Ross, Simmons and Bamba was just not cutting it. It got a lot better once Briscoe and Wes took over. Those were both fine players but easily upgradable. Aminu not only does all the dirty work on the court but he comes in humbled, works hard and plays harder. He has a multitude of playoff experience including going to the Western Conference Finals last year with the Blazers. He will not only be a good fit for our team but he can be a great role model and leader for our younger forwards in Isaac, Iwundu and Okeke. What I think I like most about this signing is his contract. It is by no mean an over pay so we should be able to trade him if needed in a year or so when Okeke is ready to play. I am very much looking forward to seeing the Chief in a Magic uniform.

Luke Smith:
Grade C
Look, it’s fine? But we already have two players in our young core, who whilst they can play together, are best suited to the power forward position. Why use nearly 10 million on another, who is used to starting on playoff teams? Aminu is a good player, he comes from a good team culture and I do not doubt that’s something he can help foster in the Orlando locker room. This just adds to the increasing roster instability. But who knows, this Aminu signing may be insurance in regards to another Power Forward on our team not being on our team anymore come the trade deadline. 

Wyatt Alan
Grade: B
Didn’t see this one coming at all. I didn’t like it at first report. I didn’t know anything about him. Chief himself said he realized how HARD it was to play Orlando with their defense and length. This is exactly what he’ll add for us. More of what WAS working for us. Orlando looks to take a step forward as one of the league’s elite defenses this season. That’s the goal anyway.

Michael Carter Williams: 1yr/Minimum

Jonathan Alicea:
Grade C
Michael Carter Williams was a late season addition last year and more than proved his worth. He played hard, he pushed the pace and was a very good defensive player, particularly guarding the pick n roll. With that being said, MCW is a very flawed player. As a scorer he is limited; he can get to the basket but he struggles to finish at the rim, he’s a massive liability at the 3pt line and as a passer he is middling at best. It’s hard to imagine the Magic couldn’t have done better in addressing their need for a better 2nd/3rd string PG. I’m particularly high on Jeremy Lin and Trey Burke, and both of them are better players who fill bigger holes in this roster and could’ve been had at the same price tag as MCW. This signing does, in my opinion, signal one thing:  the Magic front office believes Markelle Fultz is ready to go. I’m not overly optimistic, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Stephen Cameron
Grade C+
Michale Carter Williams was once rookie of the year, but that player has yet to be seen since that season. He has bounce around the league now playing on minimum contracts. He is solid on defense but lacks any ability to be a threat offensively. His shot is ugly and his finish around the rim is pretty bad. Before this turns to negative, he does get to the line decently and plays very hard on defense. I give it a C+ because he is what he is at this point and probably can’t fix his offensive struggles. The big hope is he is the 3rd string PG behind Fultz and only comes on the court in blowouts or In case of injury. Over all I thought the team had a few other options that could have fit better for the PG rotation.

Luke Smith:
Grade C
MCW really used that initial ten day contract Orlando gave him late last season to convince us he was an NBA player again. He tricked us. Wait – That’s too harsh. MCW just does a couple of things pretty well but honestly, I’m going to be missing Isiah Briscoe this season. Did I think one day I’ll be lamenting the loss of a guy like Isiah Briscoe on my team? No. It’s unclear what role MCW will have, with a lot of that coming down to whether or not Markelle Fultz exists as a basketball player. At this stage, I know he’ll be able to come out and push the pace and defend well and that’s about it. What happens with the point guard rotation next season is something to really keep your eye on. 

Wyatt Alan
Grade: B
Would you look at that? More defense. My favorite moment all of last season was when MCW, blood dripping from his nose charged across the floor screaming in a referees face about how he was obviously fouled. (See blood on face for proof) collectively Orlando got tougher with the addition of former Rookie of the year MCW. Will he get buckets? Probably not. He did carry the teams highest +/- through his small sample size of games and help push Orlando to a 7th seed. For the price we kept him he was worth the roster spot. Especially with the pool of guard FA drying up and most our money spent elsewhere.

Okeke/Draft As A Whole


Jonathan Alicea
Grade C
    I’m neither high or low on Okeke. I think Okeke is a fine player. However, he isn’t someone who particularly filled a need for the Magic and at pick #16 with so many other great options (at positions of need no less), he doesn’t strike me as great value. Once again, I’m of the opinion that our front office has failed to realize and maximize the potential of a draft as an asset. Given that Okeke remains unsigned, and guys like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Matisse Thybulle both fill needs, had strong summer league performances and were available at 16. You could even make the case for Brandon Clarke who isn’t too drastically dissimilar to Chuma Okeke, but is actually healthy and theoretically could contribute right away if PF was a position of need.
      The Magic ended up trading their 2nd round draft for a 2020 2nd round draft pick and cash considerations totaling $2.2 million. Surprisingly, this isn’t a bad haul considering how strapped the team is financially, however, I’m not sold that our front office is particularly skilled at finding talent in the 2nd round, with the exception of Wes Iwundu, our front office has struck out with their picks. Frazier doesn’t look like an NBA player, Justin Jackson didn’t even make it to pre-season last year, and in 2017 we traded away the 35th pick even though there was a plethora of rotation caliber players still available. My fear is that the 2020 2nd round pick could end up being another asset the Magic fail to capitalize on.      

Stephen Cameron
Grade B+
Chuma Okeke was drafted with the 16th pick in the draft to the Orlando Magic. Everyone including myself expected a a guard to be drafted to help fill the team’s biggest need, playmaking and scoring. Yet we drafted another forward. Yet after time to think and learn more about his game, Okeke is a baller! Once he is healthy he can bring defensive versatility being able to guard multiple positions. He shot the ball at a very nice rate from 3 at 38% both his years at college. He also average 6.3 rebounds during his time at Auburn. He was the glue guy to the team. He grinds it out on the floor defensively and offensive has a decent finish around the rim, smooth in transition and of course....shots the 3. Chuma will give us much needed depth and value at the forward spot in a year once he is healthy.

Luke Smith
Grade C
I’m confused. I’ll say that. We both signed and drafted guys who even further solidify the unbalance, weird roster we have. I am certain they must be eyeing off a trade for scoring wing. They have to be right? I don’t know man. Look, we have the same guys back who got us to the playoffs last year. Good thing yeah? Well, one thing Orlando fans never really seem to address is that we didn’t make the playoffs comfortably. Honestly that was some right down to the wire business. The 6 teams who ended up above us – Well there’s an argument that each of them got better! Miami added Jimmy Butler to a team that was just behind us in the standings. There’s a lot going on. I won’t comment too much on Okeke yet. I’m just looking forward to seeing him play. Overall I believe this offseason has kept us in the playoff mix, but we’re by no means a lock. I hope for continuity working in our favor, I hope for a leap from the young guys, I hope Vooch and Ross don’t regress now that they got the bag, I hope Fultz comes back like 80% of what he could have been, I hope there’s a trade that doesn’t include anyone named Jonathan Isaac or Terrence Ross that helps us even the roster out a bit. Here we go, another year as a Magic fan!

Wyatt Alan
Grade: B
Now I am A+ hyped on Chuma... I believe he was BPA without the injury. I believe he was our guy the whole time so the FO didn’t explore many other options. I’ve heard reports that other teams MAY have still picked Chuma soon after, but you have to wonder if the FO could have leveraged this pick by trading back or trading up from their 2nd round pick... this was a safe draft pick ultimately the right person but would I like to have him and NAW absofuckinglutley.



BONUS ROUND
Josh Maggette – Two way?: F

Luke Smith
Why? Melo Trimble, Mitch McCarron, Kouat Noi, Bryce Cotton, Fin Delaney, Kendall Stephens, John Roberson, Harry Froling, Nathan Sobey, Casey Prather. There. There’s 10 names from my home country Australia’s National League. 10 guys I’d rather have on a two way than a nearly 30 year old Josh Maggette. I’ve heard arguments that it’s about depth at the PG position in Lakeland? If the franchise is even thinking about Maggette as some sort of insurance at the 1 down the track for either Orlando or Lakeland then I certainly don’t have my hopes up for Fultz. 

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