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The first day of free agency was an eventful one for the Orlando Magic. Sure, there were some mixed emotions (for some at least) with the departure of Mario Hezonja. But overall, with the re-signing of Aaron Gordon to a team-friendly deal, most Magic fans went to bed satisfied with the Magic’s July 1 performance.
Below are a collection of links that cover every aspect of the day’s events. But first...
Magic Tweet of the Day
Back with the magic! Let’s go!! pic.twitter.com/bfIl4WaBBd
— Aaron Gordon (@Double0AG) July 2, 2018
Start spreading the news...I want to be a part of it, New York,New York! Very excited to be joining the Knicks and play for coach Fizdale! A dream come true!! #betterhairdaysareahead pic.twitter.com/V7JfOUc9ob
— Mario Hezonja (@mariohezonja) July 2, 2018
Let's all remember one thing as LeBron heads to the Western Conference...Other than the teams he has played for, there is only one Eastern Conference team that LeBron James has never defeated in a playoff series: the Orlando Magic
— Orlando Pinstriped Post (@OPPMagicBlog) July 2, 2018
Magic Headlines
By showing patience, the first day of free agency was a win for the Magic front office.
With Aaron Gordon re-signing with Orlando, the Magic’s biggest question mark of the offseason has been answered, writes our Zach Oliver.
After three underwhelming years in Orlando, Mario Hezonja is headed to New York, Oliver writes.
Elfrid Payton is having a homecoming, but it is in New Orelans, not Orlando.
The free agency market worked in the Magic’s favor when it came to negotiations with Aaron Gordon.
Aaron Gordon signed a four-year $84 million deal with no team or player options, writes Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.
Mario Hezonja was determined to find a team that would give him big minutes, something the Magic were unable to do with their crowded frontcourt, Robbins writes.
The Magic had no choice but to re-sign Aaron Gordon in the wake of the Victor Oladipo blunder, writes Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.
In bringing back Aaron Gordon, the Magic made a decision that defined their offseason, writes Jean Racine of Orlando Magic Daily.
The Magic drafted Mario Hezonja hoping he’d be the shooter and playmaker they needed, but it never happened, Racine writes.
Aaron Gordon deciding to stay in Orlando could stunt his growth, writes Rohan Nadkarni of Sports Illustrated.
The re-signing of Aaron Gordon was given a grade of ‘A-’ by Gerald Bourguet of Hoops Habit.
The Knicks will try another rehabilitation project with the addition of Mario Hezonja, writes James Herbert of CBS Sports.
The Knicks agreed to a one-year deal with Hezonja, writes Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
Newest Knick Mario Hezonja has appealing potential, writes Tommy Beer of Forbes.
The Knicks signing of Mario Hezonja was given a grade of a ‘B-’ by Luke Askew of Hoops Habit.
Elfrid Payton is considered the likely back-up in New Orleans if the team re-signs Rajon Rondo or other free agents, writes Willian Guillory of NOLA.com.
Former FSU guard Braian Angola is chasing a dream with the Orlando Magic, writes Corey Clark of Warchant.com.
Orlando is a potential landing spot for free agent Tyler Ulis, writes DrewKoch of A Sea of Blue.