Like most of you, I was disappointed that the season ended in the first round. Props to Atlanta, they had a gameplan(no matter how in-efficient it looked) and they stuck with it. So how can the Magic improve?
The Magic will start next season with a $76 million payroll which will be number 2 behind the Lakers. The new CBA will change how teams can sign free agents but we won't know the structure of it for a while. Let's assume the rules will stay the same and teams will have a mid-level exception (5.7 in 2011), the bi-annual exception (2.08 in 2011), and minimum salary exception(800k) to sign free agents. After the jump a list of potential free agents and some stats to see which ones would be a good fit in Orlando.
Key:PO=Player Option,QO=Qualifying offer(usually guys still on their rookie deals), UFA=unrestricted free agent
FORWARDS:
2010 Salary | ||
Andre Kirilenko | 17 mil | UFA |
Kenyon Martin | 16 mil | UFA |
Tayshaun Prince | 11 mil | UFA |
Troy Murhpy | 11 mil | UFA |
Caron Butler | 10 mil | UFA |
Boris Diaw | 9 mil | PO |
Shane Battier | 7 mil | UFA |
Vlad Radmanovic | 6.8 mil | UFA |
Jared Jeffries | 6.8 mil | UFA |
Reggie Evans | 5 mil | UFA |
Darius Songaila | 4.8 mil | UFA |
Yi Jianlian | 4 mil | QO |
Julian Wright | 3.9 mil | QO |
Kris Humphries | 3 mil | UFA |
Brandon Wright | 3 mil | QO |
Carl Landry | 3 mil | UFA |
Josh Howard | 3 mil | UFA |
Craig Smith | 2.3 mil | UFA |
James Jones | 1.1 mil | PO |
Earl Clark | 1.8 mil | UFA |
Leon Powe | 915,000 | UFA |
Josh McRoberts | 885,000 | UFA |
CDR | 854,000 | QO |
Shawne Williams | 854,000 | UFA |
Joey Dorsey | 854,000 | QO |
GUARDS | CENTERS | |||||
Mike Redd | 18 mil | UFA | Sam Dalembert | 13 mil | UFA | |
Jason Richardson | 14 mil | UFA | Joel Przybilla | 7.7 mil | UFA | |
Mike Dunleavy | 10 mil | UFA | Dan Gadzuric | 7 mil | UFA | |
Jamal Crawford | 10 mil | UFA | Jeff Foster | 6.6 mil | UFA | |
JR Smith | 6 mil | UFA | Nazr Mohammed | 6 mil | UFA | |
Jason Kapono | 6 mil | UFA | Ronny Turiaf | 4 mil | PO | |
Sasha Vujacic | 5.4 mil | UFA | Chris Wilcox | 3 mil | UFA | |
Deshawn Stevenson | 4.1 mil | UFA | David Anderson | 2.5 mil | QO | |
Willie Green | 3.9 mil | UFA | Ryan Hollins | 2.4 mil | PO | |
Anthony Parker | 2.8 mil | UFA | Louis Amundson | 2.2 mil | PO | |
JJ Barea | 1.8 mil | UFA | Hamed Haddadi | 2 mil | QO | |
Roger Mason | 1.4 mil | UFA | Chuck Hayes | 1.9 mil | UFA | |
Quinton Ross | 1.1 mil | UFA | Kurt Thomas | 1.8 mil | UFA | |
Anthony Carter | 854,000 | UFA | Solomon Jones | 1.5 mil | UFA | |
Marquis Daniels | 854,000 | UFA | Alexis Ajinca | 1.4 mil | UFA | |
TMAC | 854,000 | UFA | Krylo Fesenko | 1 mil | UFA | |
Luc Mbah a Moute | 854,000 | QO | Josh Powell | 854,000 | UFA | |
Delonte West | 854,000 | UFA | Hilton Armstrong | 854,000 | UFA | |
Reggie Williams | 762,000 | QO | Kwame Brown | 854,000 | UFA | |
Theo Ratliff | 854,000 | UFA | ||||
Eric Dampier | 854,000 | UFA | ||||
Sheldon Willliams | 854,000 | UFA | ||||
Tony Battie | 854,000 | UFA | ||||
Francisco Elson | 854,000 | UFA |
The players I highlighted are the players I believe the Magic should target in Free Agency. The Magic don't have much to work with so here are my reasons for highlighting these players:
Jeff Foster-6th in the league in Total Rebound Rate (at least 10 min a game, 40 games played) at 20.7. Although he will be 35 next January, I think he can be signed for half of the mid-level.
Ghostface Przybilla-Pretty good rebound rate at 17.1, a legit 7 footer, and he is 32 years old. Although he may be more expensive than Foster because centers get paid. Also has a great nickname.
Nazr Mohammed-Always known as a good defender, rebounds well at 17.2 rebound rate. Will start the season at 34 years old. Maybe a little less than the full mid-level.
Mike Dunleavy-I believe JJ should start and Dunleavy should be the backup SG. At 6'9, would create a new taller lineup. Shot 40% from 3, 56% eFG% which was good for 6th in league among swingmen with 40 games and 15 min a game. Maybe a little less than the full mid-level.
James Jones-#1 in league in eFG% at 60% and shot 42% from 3. Miami will probably re-sign him at a larger contract but if not, he will be sought after by many teams. Would be a good role player for the team.
Vlad Rad-OK, hear me out. I know he is known as the space cadet for his bball un-awareness, but the guy has some skills. He shot 40% from 3, had an eFG of 54%, and is 6'10. If we can get him for 2-3 mil a year for 2 years, I think that's reasonable.
Earl Clark-Ryan Anderson is our best trade asset and I think Clark can be a capable backup next year. Just has so much potential for a big guy. Since he has not done anything in the league yet, he should not be too expensive to re-sign.
Mbah a Moute-Great perimeter defender but a horrible shooter for the SVG system. But has Pietrus type length to bother shooters and I don't think would command a lot of money in the market
Delonte West-Tenacious, crazy, friend of Jameer's, decent shooter, can play the point. Love his versatility, question whats upstairs. He plays with an edge I feel this team was missing this year.
Obviously, there are better players on the market (Battier, Crawford, Dalembert) but I think they will be more expensive than the guys I listed. My top 2 choices would be Przybilla and Dunleavy. Of course, the CBA may not even have a mid -level or DeVos may not to want to add any more new salaries. All ideas/comments welcome. This post is focused on free agency, the next one is going to be a trade targets.