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Ted Carlson

Offseason Overview: Orlando Magic

June 29, 2009 8:02pm CDT

Fresh off a 4-1 Finals defeat at the hands of the Lakers, the Magic wasted little time in setting the direction of their summer. Last week, general manager Otis Smith traded point guard Rafer Alston, shooting guard Courtney Lee, and big man Tony Battie to the Nets for shooting guard Vince Carter and power forward Ryan Anderson. The move likely means that the Magic won't be able to bring back free agent Hedo Turkoglu, and they still need to shore up the team's depth.

Cap situation: $68.1 million committed to eight players. League salary cap estimated at $58 million for 2009-2010 season.

Returning players: Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Jameer Nelson, Mickael Pietrus, J.J. Redick, Anthony Johnson.

Additions/Rookies: Vince Carter, Ryan Anderson (no draft picks)

Key free agents: Hedo Turkoglu (opt-out clause), Marcin Gortat (restricted), Tyronn Lue, Adonal Foyle

Five Burning Questions
1) Can they bring back Turkoglu?
As the cap numbers above show, the Magic are dolling out a lot of money already and will be well over the luxury tax threshold. Carter, Howard and Lewis will combine to make over $50 million next season. That doesn't mean the Magic are willing to handcuff their roster and pay the luxury tax well into the next decade. Smith informs the Orlando Sentinel that "it would be hard" to bring back Turkoglu, who could command over $10 million per season in a five or six-year deal. Lewis is signed through 2012-13, Howard is inked through 2011-12 and has a 2012-13 player option, Carter has two more seasons before a team option in 2011-12, and Nelson's deal also runs though 2012-13. Even if Turkoglu came back at a discount, the Magic would have another sizable long-term deal on that pile. That's a dangerous cap game to play.

2) Should they bring back Turkoglu?
From a fantasy basketball perspective, it will likely be best for Hedo to find a new home. As the saying goes, too many cooks can spoil the broth. The Magic would likely have too many scorers demanding the ball. Turkoglu, Carter and Nelson would all want to create offensive opportunities, and Howard and Lewis are accustomed to their fair share of the touches. Unless the Magic start scoring 125 points per night, it would be tough to for that five-some to all maintain their scoring averages. As it currently stands (sans Hedo), Carter will need to knock someone else down if he plans to average over 20 points again.

3) Will they keep Gortat?
The Ryan Anderson piece of the trade with the Nets may have felt like a throw-in, but he was a much-needed part. The Magic gave away Battie, and they could easily lose Gortat. The Polish Hammer averaged just 3.8 points and 4.5 rebounds this season, but he is a seven-footer who moves around well and gained some attention during the playoffs. The Magic can match any offer that Gortat signs, but if he receives, the mid-level exception from another team, Smith will likely let the big man go. We're not sure what Smith's breaking point will be, but it's hard to see them matching even $4 million for Gortat.

4) Really? No draft picks?
Give their cap situation, the Magic could have certainly used a draft pick or two to help their bench. They could have grabbed a shooter like Wayne Ellington, a combo guard like Toney Douglas, or a big man like DeJuan Blair with the No. 27 pick. Alas, the Magic shipped that selection to the Grizzlies in February as part of a three-team trade with the Rockets. The franchise traded away their second-round pick (No. 57) in July of 2007.

5) How will they fill out the roster?
The Magic have only eight players under contract and will need more warm bodies, especially if Gortat leaves. The biggest chip in their arsenal will be the mid-level exception, which is around $5.7 million for one season and $30 million over five campaigns. They can split that amount over multiple players. The key may be finding a veteran who wants to win a title. The Sentinel has mentioned Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess as targets. Joe Smith could also fit the bill as a veteran big man who could give them much-needed depth up front. The Magic also need a swing man (or two) to replace Lee. Old pal Keith Bogans seems like a potential fit, as would a shooter like Flip Murray or a small forward like Rodney Carney. Given the cap situation, the Magic will also surely have minimum-contract youngsters filling out the final few spots.

Ideal Situation: We're not going to pretend that Turkoglu and Gortat will return, although the big man remains a mild possibility. Instead, the best-case scenario would bring Wallace or McDyess, a bench option like Bogans, and maybe a cheap point guard like Ronnie Price. They may then need to comb the upcoming Orlando Pro Summer League for young bargains.

Resulting Depth Chart
PG: Jameer Nelson/Ronnie Price/Anthony Johnson
SG: Vince Carter/J.J. Redick
SF: Mickael Pietrus/Keith Bogans
PF: Rashard Lewis/Ryan Anderson
C: Dwight Howard/Antonio McDyess

Strengths: Title contender, scoring, versatility, balance, rebounding, three-point shooting
Weaknesses: Short and long-term cap problems

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