The Magicians, after drastically reshuffling their team during the 2020/21 season, commenced the initial complete season of their reconstruction journey in 2021/22. The outcomes were as anticipated: Orlando managed to secure merely seven victories out of their first 42 matches, concluding the season at the bottom of the standings in the Eastern Conference with a 22-60 tally.
The Magicians’ approach towards Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac, both recuperating from ACL injuries, demonstrated the extent of patience the organization is prepared to display as they reconstruct their squad from scratch. Fultz did not see any action until approximately 14 months post his injury, while Isaac did not make an appearance throughout the entire 2021/22 season, despite suffering his injury back in August of 2020.
With Isaac sidelined for the entirety of the season and Fultz absent for a significant duration, the Magicians did not have the opportunity to assess how a couple of their crucial young veterans meshed with the new prospects. Nonetheless, they afforded these prospects significant playing time. Despite a lukewarm rookie season from No. 5 overall pick Jalen Suggs, second-year guard Cole Anthony took a leap forward, and rookie forward Franz Wagner demonstrated himself as a highly promising cornerstone for the future. Orlando aims to acquire another enduring cornerstone with their top-six pick in this year’s draft.
The Magicians’ Strategy for the Offseason:
In his fourth NBA season, Mohamed Bamba finally stayed injury-free and experienced a minor breakthrough, achieving new personal bests in points (10.6), rebounds (8.1), and blocks (1.7) per game, while shooting 38.1% from beyond the arc. His performance indicated that Bamba, about to turn 24 next month, is steadily progressing towards embodying the player the Magicians envisioned when they selected him sixth overall in 2018.
However, the timing of his emergence complicates matters. The Magicians inked a four-year, $50 million extension with Wendell Carter last year, set to commence in 2022/23, and performed better this season when Carter was on court without Bamba (-0.9 net rating) than when they shared the court together (-5.5) or when Bamba played without Carter (-14.8).
Will the Magicians be inclined to heavily invest in a second young center? Will there be adequate competition for Bamba in the free-agent market to necessitate a significant investment? Addressing these queries will play a pivotal role in shaping the rest of Orlando’s offseason, as the resolution on Bamba will influence whether the team operates above or below the salary cap.
Certainly, the Magicians’ fortuity in the lottery could significantly influence the decision regarding Bamba. Adding a prospect like Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, or Jabari Smith could lead to a crowded frontcourt rotation, particularly with Isaac on the verge of returning.
Numerous critical offseason verdicts for the Magicians pertain to their seasoned players. Gary Harris and Robin Lopez fulfilled their roles effectively, yet it remains uncertain if the team envisions them in their future plans now that they are unrestricted free agents. While Terrence Ross is under contract for another season, it appears he desires a trade, a wish the Magic likely seek to fulfill. Nevertheless, his subdued performance in the 2021/22 campaign will pose challenges in procuring substantial value from any potential trade.
Financial Position and Salary Cap Overview
Please note: The salary cap figures provided are based on the league’s most recent projection ($122MM) for the 2022/23 season.
Assured Player Salaries
- Jonathan Isaac ($17,400,000)
- Markelle Fultz ($16,500,000)
- Wendell Carter ($14,150,000)
- Terrence Ross ($11,500,000)
- Jalen Suggs ($6,922,320)
- Franz Wagner ($5,258,280)
- Cole Anthony ($3,613,680)
- Chuma Okeke ($3,433,320)
- R.J. Hampton ($2,412,840)
- Total: $81,190,440
Player Options
- None
Team Options
- None
Non-Guaranteed Player Salaries
- Moritz Wagner ($1,878,720)
- Devin Cannady ($1,752,638)
- Total: $3,631,358
Restricted Free Agents
- Mohamed Bamba ($10,096,703 qualifying offer / $22,706,229 cap hold): Bird rights
- Bol Bol ($2,701,440 qualifying offer / $4,106,189 cap hold): Bird rights
- Total (cap holds): $26,812,418
Two-Way Free Agents
- Ignas Brazdeikis ($1,616,044 cap hold): Early Bird rights
- Admiral Schofield ($1,616,044 cap hold): Non-Bird rights
- Total: $3,232,088
Draft Selections
- No. 2 overall pick ($9,758,880) 1
- No. 32 overall pick (no cap hold)
- No. 35 overall pick (no cap hold)
- Total: $9,758,880
Players Eligible for Contract Extensions
Please note: These are players who either meet the criteria for a contract extension or will meet the criteria before the 2022/23 season commences.
- Markelle Fultz (veteran)
- Terrence Ross (veteran)
Unrestricted Free Agents / Other Cap Holds
- Gary Harris ($30,723,215 cap hold): Bird rights
- Robin Lopez ($6,000,000 cap hold): Non-Bird rights
- Fran Vazquez ($4,508,640 cap hold) 2
- Arron Afflalo ($1,811,516 cap hold): Non-Bird rights 3
- Marreese Speights ($1,811,516 cap hold): Non-Bird rights 3
- Vic Law ($1,616,044 cap hold): Non-Bird rights 3
- Total: $46,470,931
Offseason Financial Forecast
Depending on where the Magicians’ first-round pick lands, the cap hold for that selection could propel their total committed salary above $90MM. This scenario would still leave plenty of room, approximately $30MM, in cap space if the team allows all their impending free agents to depart and relinquishes their remaining cap holds. However, the likelihood that the Magicians are eager to create cap space is low, as they are unlikely to be significant participants in the free agency market.
One should anticipate their efforts to retain Bamba and potentially pursue a new agreement with Harris. The choice to function above or below the salary cap may hinge on the outcome and expense of these endeavors. It is essential to note that if new deals for Bamba and Harris are estimated to leave the Magicians with approximately $10-12MM in cap space, it would be more advantageous for the organization to retain an over-the-cap position and preserve their entire mid-level exemption.
In the event that one of Bamba or Harris does not return or if Orlando sheds salary, possibly via an exchange involving Ross, the journey towards creating cap space becomes more evident. Nonetheless, for now, we are assuming that the Magicians will likely initiate the offseason as a team functioning above the salary cap threshold.
Cap Exceptions at Their Disposal
- Mid-level exception: $10,349,000 4
- Bi-annual exception: $4,050,000 4
End Notes
- This draft selection is contingent on the outcome of the lottery draw and could range between the first and sixth picks. The Magicians’ lottery odds can be reviewed here.
- Vazquez was the Magicians’ 11th pick in 2005. Though he never engaged in a rookie contract and has since retired, the team has yet to renounce their rights over him.
- The cap holds for Afflalo, Speights, and Law linger on the Magicians’ financial record from previous seasons due to a lack of renouncement. Consequently, they cannot be utilized in a sign-and-trade arrangement.
- These figures are projections. If the Magicians function beneath the salary cap, they would relinquish these exceptions and instead acquire access to the room exception ($5,329,000).
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