The Magic intend on targeting veterans once free agency begins this week, president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said, as relayed by Josh Robbins of The Athletic.
Orlando currently has a roster filled with younger players — including Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs, Jonathan Isaac and Wendell Carter Jr. — making it imperative that the team also has some veterans by the time next season starts.
“Our goal would be to add experience to the roster,” Weltman said. “But it has to come in the right form and fashion. It has to be guys that we feel will help move our team forward, help our young guys navigate the early stages of their careers and can also help us on the court and show what hard work and preparation leads to.”
One veteran who spent time with Orlando the past two seasons, James Ennis, is set to reach the open market, though he recently told Hoops Rumors that his top priority will be finding a winning situation. The Magic finished with just a 21-51 record last season.
Here are some other notes from the East tonight:
- The Nets are hiring Brian Keefe as an assistant coach, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Keefe, a veteran NBA assistant, was a finalist for the Thunder’s head coaching job one year ago, Wojnarowski notes. Keefe will replace Mike D’Antoni on Steve Nash‘s staff.
- Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t need surgery on the knee he hyperextended during the playoffs, according to general manager Jon Horst. “He’s fine,” Horst said, as relayed by The Associated Press. “I can’t explain it, but he’s fine.”
- The Sixers are refusing to address questions about Joel Embiid‘s lingering knee injury, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Embiid sustained the injury in Game 4 of the team’s first-round series against the Wizards, though he still went on to average 28.1 points and 10.5 rebounds in 32.5 minutes per game during the postseason.
- A potential sign-and-trade for Spencer Dinwiddie won’t be easy to figure out for the Wizards, as detailed by Fred Katz of The Athletic. Washington is operating over the salary cap, meaning Dinwiddie could only join the team via a sign-and-trade, and the Nets won’t be eager to take on any significant salary for a player they don’t love. Dinwiddie missed most of last season after suffering a partially torn ACL. He averaged a career-high 20.6 points and 6.8 assists per game the season before, however, shooting 41.5% from the field.
That Embiid injury really scares me. It’s Bynum 2.0.
The Sixers still can’t find anyone who wants Ben Simmons because he can’t shoot.
Suggs will lose more games in Week 1 than he lost all last season. I feel bad for him goin to Orlando.
Yeah they are holding back on Embiid . Remember Kahwi sore knee.
Good to hear about Giannis. He should rest up till next yr. I mean literally. Nets need bench help. Seems they’d take that back in sign n trade .
Really? No mention of Cole Anthony and Rj Hampton in that young magic core?
I think the Magic will surprise some people this year
But… but… but… the Magic will violate their timeline with those vets!
Even Innis probably prefers out though.
I wonder who they’ll blame this time when Mo Bamba has another mediocre season.
I suspect Dinwiddie will wind up in NOLA (good plan), signed into capspace, if that is possible. Maybe 3/$60. They were at $94m before sending out two contracts about $16m more than they took, but the trade was announced in the 20/21 season so it’s complicated. BTW it is 21/22 now.
Also possible that Griffin reads my posts, so I will doublecheck my grammar. (There should be an “it is” near “also”, but what does either of those annoying words refer to?— “it is so”? I reject them and make it so.)
I honestly cant even actually say what Orlando currently needs since their roster makeover, besides health…They added a lot more shooting to address those issues they’ve had for a long time. You can say where they need veterans though
Looking at their roster,
Jalen Suggs, Gary Harris, Terrence Ross, Chuma Okeke, Wendell Carter jr
Cole Anthony, MCW, RJ Hampton, Mo Bamba, Wagner off the bench until Isaac is healthy? Then I guess you would say they need a 3 and D wing, and could potentially move one of Harris, Ross or Hampton
Are you saying you think ORL is a winner?— playoff team?— if they need nothing more.
No I wouldnt say that, but they’re a young team, and their best player is currently injured. When Isaac comes back, it will probably be easier to assess them
Magic need to get healthy. Suggs will bring out best of team. I’m not a big Wagner guy. Maybe I’m wrong about him. Bouknight should have been the pick imo. Suggs was a great pick here. I think they will move Anthony. Yes they have to make a decision on Bamba. Talk about procrastination lols. Coaching and FO leadership has to be big here. Is why I thought Atkinson was a better choice. Magic got good young talent. It’s chemistry and mix n match that they have to get right. They need focus on a real plan. And the guts to carry it out.
In terms of fit, I would probably agree with that, although I’m still catching up on draft prospects and havent got that far yet. Either Bouknight or one of the wing pieces, but havent got there yet. That would have given them a 0retty strong backcourt combination, especially once Fultz comes back, and then you have Issac and Okeke at the 4
““I can’t explain it, but he’s fine.”
Yeah…I don’t think anyone can. I just remember watching that injury thinking, “well…he’s done…but hey, if ANYONE can get through that and not miss a year, it’s Giannis.”
The legend just grows. That was an UGLY looking injury.