Orlando, FL— The Orlando Magic concluded the 2024 NBA Draft on Thursday evening after acquiring the unprotected rights to swap their own 2030 second-round draft pick and their own 2031 second-round draft pick from New Orleans in exchange for the draft rights to Antonio Reeves (Kentucky, 47th overall in 2024).
The Magic formally introduced their first-round selection Tristan da Silva to the media at his press conference on Friday afternoon at the Advent Health Training Center, and the front office will now be looking to add more talent to this roster. Here are some important offseason and free agency dates to keep in mind within the next week:
June 29: Last day for a team or player option to be exercised and last day for a player to receive a qualifying offer.
June 30: Free agent negotiations can begin with players not on your team (6 pm ET).
July 1: Free agency moratorium (12:01 a.m. ET). The Free Agency Moratorium is a negotiation period from July 1-6 in which teams may not sign most free agents or make trades. Starting at 6 p.m. ET on June 30, teams may negotiate deals with free agents. However, those players cannot officially sign until 12:01 p.m. ET on July 6. Any deals struck during the moratorium period are characterized as agreements, but do not count toward team salary and are not binding for the player or team. Either side can back out in this situation.
July 6: Each NBA team may begin signing free agents to contracts (12:01 p.m. ET).
According to Spotrac, the Orlando Magic are projected to have the third most available cap space ($52 million) entering this year’s free agency class. Orlando has four unrestricted free agents Markelle Fultz, Goga Bitadze, Gary Harris, and Chuma Okeke. Mo Wagner ($8 million) and Joe Ingles ($11 million) both have club options, and Jonathan Issac’s ($17.4 million) contract is non-guaranteed going into next season.
The Magic have been rumored to potentially make a trade this summer for All-Star caliber players such as Trae Young, Anfernee Simons, Dejounte Murray, etc. But more recently and according to multiple reports, the Orlando Magic won’t be shy about offering large contracts to players like Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson and Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
“The Magic are one of the few teams in playoff contention with cap space, along with OKC. They have nearly $50 million in space to use, with Jonathan Isaac being the highest-paid player on the roster at $17 million for next season. League sources suggest the Magic are willing to offer the Warriors’ Thompson or Caldwell-Pope short-term, big money deals starting at two years, $50 million,” According to NBA writer Matt Moore.
Both Klay Thompson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can provide shooting and championship pedigree to this young Magic squad. Last season the Magic were one of the worst shooting teams in the association as they shot 34.8% from three (26th), 47.2% from the field (15th), had a 53.7% effective field goal percentage (19th), and were last in the association in three-pointers made per game (11).
Klay Thompson, 34, appeared in 77 games for the Warriors last season and played nearly 30 minutes a game. Thompson averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, shot 43.2% from the floor, and 38.7% from three. His points, defensive win shares, and field goal percentage were the third lowest of his career, and it was his worst shooting since 2021-22. Thompson has experienced a decline in his abilities following an Achilles and ACL tear that sidelined him for two full seasons.
Thompson’s three-point percentage was the second-lowest of his career. Lastly, his player efficiency rating (PER) at 13.9 was the second lowest of his career since his sophomore season. Despite all of those lows Klay still managed to knock down 268 triples this past season (4th), and was 3rd in catch and shoot made three-point jumpers per game (2.7).
Caldwell-Pope, 31, declined his $15.4 million player option with the Denver Nuggets earlier this week and will be looking for a hefty payday on the open market. Caldwell-Pope is a potential younger and better option for the Magic as he is one of the best three and D guards in the association, and would fit in seamlessly with this roster.
The Magic have been stout defensively the past few seasons and adding a player to the backcourt who is a sniper from long range, has championship pedigree, and fits the defensive identity of the team would be a perfect pairing. Last season for the Denver Nuggets Caldwell-Pope started in 76 games and averaged 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, shot 46.0% from the floor, and shot
40.6% from long range. Caldwell-Pope was an integral role player on both of his championship runs with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2020 bubble and the 2023 Denver Nuggets.
Even if the Magic don’t go in the direction of a Klay Thompson or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, they can still add shooting with other talented shooters like Buddy Hield, Luke Kennard, Gary Trent Jr, etc.
Buddy Hield appeared in 84 games last season and averaged 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and shot 43.6% from the floor and 38.3% from distance. Luke Kennard has a 14.8 million dollar club option with the Memphis Grizzlies, but shot an astounding 44.8% from the field and 45% from three on 6.1 attempts per game. Gary Trent Jr last season for the Toronto Raptors averaged 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and shot 42.6% from the field and 39.3% from long range.
The Orlando Magic will have plenty of cap space and assets to work with in the trade market if they so choose, and expect this team to bring in more talent this summer.
