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MCW is staying in Orlando and the Magic roster is just about complete.
Michael Carter-Williams is the latest Orlando free agent to remain in town after agreeing to a deal with the Magic, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Free agent Michael Carter-Williams has agreed to a deal to return to the Orlando Magic, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 21, 2020
MCW gives the Magic depth and a veteran presence at point guard, and also provides Steve Clifford with the hustle and defensive versatility he adores with his ability to defend multiple positions.
By bringing back MCW and reaching agreements on the first day of free agency with James Ennis and Dwayne Bacon, the Magic now have 14 roster spots filled, with restricted free agent Gary Clark likely to claim the 15th spot.
With Carter-Williams staying put, and the Magic drafting Cole Anthony, it all but assures the end of the D.J. Augustin era in Orlando. The veteran point guard reportedly has drawn interest from contending teams...
I have heard that Phoenix did reach out to free agent DJ Augustin and that Milwaukee is also very interested. Also it’s likely he takes the best offer.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) November 20, 2020
While MCW is a popular player and clearly provides value in his own way, his return means the Magic, a team that shot 34.3 percent from three last season (sixth worst in the league), once again failed to properly address their shooting needs in free agency.
With the anticipated loss of Augustin, in favor of a rookie point guard who shot 34.8 percent from deep, and a seemingly lateral move from Wes Iwundu (34.1% on threes last season, 31.9% on 1.1 attempts per in his career) to Dwayne Bacon (28.4% on threes last season, 34.5% on 1.5 attempts per in his career), the Magic could enter next season as a worse shooting team than they were last season, barring trade or internal improvement.
Seems the Magic will be pinning their perimeter hopes on a pair of rookies in Anthony, who’s underwhelming three-point percentage in college may have been impacted by his supporting cast and lack of spacing, and Chuma Okeke, who shot 38.9 percent from deep over two years at Auburn.