Three Point Guards the Magic Should Sign in Free Agency

After concluding their 2020-2021 season, the Orlando Magic’s group of guards emerges as one of the club’s few bright spots. As it stands, Orlando has promising Point Guards like Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, and R.J. Hampton under contract for the future. Orlando’s rotation also boasts seasoned veterans like Terrence Ross, Michael Carter-Williams, and Gary Harris. Despite this, the Magic should still add more help in the backcourt, especially if their roster is hit hard again by injuries. This still means that Orlando’s front office needs to be conservative with their money. With having a projected $31 million in cap space, the Magic can’t go overboard with big Free Agent signings this summer. So even with top-tier guards like Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry, and Mike Conley seeming unreachable, there are three available Point Guards that serve as cheap and reliable options to build around for the future.

The Magic’s #1 Target: T.J. McConnell, PG, Indiana Pacers

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Simply put, McConnell would be the ideal signing for the Magic to make this summer. At 29-years-old, McConnell adds depth and experience to a young and inexperienced Magic squad. McConnell was able to do a little bit of everything in 69 games this season for Indiana, by averaging 8.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.6 APG, and 1.9 SPG. McConnell wasn’t a very effective three-point shooter this season, going just 31.3% on 0.7 attempts per game. Overall, McConnell was still a reliable shooter, going 58.6% on two-point attempts and 57.4% on Effective Field Goals. The best perk that comes with signing McConnell is his marginal price tag. McConnell’s two-year, $7.5 million contract he signed with the Pacers in 2019 marked his largest contract in his playing career, so his asking price shouldn’t be excessive. A three-year, $13 million contract should easily lock up the five-year pro.

The Magic’s #2 Target: Kendrick Nunn, PG, Miami Heat

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Like McConnell, Nunn is a sneaky good add for a team in need with a playmaking guard. After closing his rookie season as the Rookie of the Year runner-up, Nunn produced another solid season. In 56 games this season, Nunn averaged 14.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, and 0.9 SPG for the Miami Heat. Nunn also posted his best shooting season to date, recording 48.5% from the field and 38.1% from downtown while playing more off-ball in Jimmy Butler’s and Bam Adebayo’s offense. There’s no doubt that Nunn will be one of the cheapest options to target this summer, though. After the Heat extend Nunn’s $4.7 million qualifying offer, Nunn will become a restricted free agent (RFA). Nunn will still be a possible addition, since Miami may have to resign Victor Oladipo, Trevor Ariza, and Nemanja Bjelica this summer.

The Magic’s #3 Target: Matthew Dellavedova, PG, Cleveland Cavaliers

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If Orlando wants an established veteran with playoff experience, then Dellavedova is your guy. In his eight-year career, Dellavedova has made the playoffs four times, including winning the NBA Finals in 2016. Throughout his career, it’s obvious that Dellavedova elevates his teammates. Notching 1,649 career assists over eight seasons on underperforming teams shouldn’t be taken lightly. There are still major concerns with signing Dellavedova, with the first being his production. Dellavedova’s career averages of 5.5 PPG, 1.8 RPG and 4.5 APG are disappointing, even with him on the Cavaliers. If that doesn’t lower other team’s interests in Dellavedova, then his injury history may just do the trick. Dellavedova has missed a combined 298 NBA regular-season games over his career and is also coming off a season-ending neck injury. In spite of this, Dellavedova would still be good insurance in case of any massive injury to Fultz or Anthony.

 

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