Orlando Magic
Orlando has made three straight playoff appearances, though the Magic have been ousted in the first round each time. The Magic will be under the direction of rookie head coach Sean Sweeney.
Orlando has 12 players under contract with a salary cap hit of $218.3 million. Thus, leaving the Magic just $3.6 million below the second apron. Paolo Banchero’s $41 million extension kicks in this year, giving the Magic four players making over $30 million, with Franz Wagner making $41.7 million. Jamal Cain has a team option ($2.5 million), while Jonathan Isaac has a partial guarantee ($8 million of $14.5 million).
Cain is expected to return. Meanwhile, Isaac’s status is more up in the air as waving and stretching him would save the Magic over $11 million and put them under the first apron. The Magic owns the No. 46 pick in this year’s draft.
If the Magic don’t stretch Isaac, Wendell Carter Jr., Anthony Black, or Goga Bitadze would likely have to be traded. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Eric Nehm, the Magic are among the teams that are suitors for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“Per league and team sources, the Bucks appear to be seeking clarity from several suitors as to what they would be willing to offer before making a final decision,” the pair wrote. “The Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Orlando Magic, the sources say, are among them. The Portland Trail Blazers are known to be interested in trading for Antetokounmpo.”
The Magic trading for Antetokounmpo isn’t really practical, as they don’t have much draft capital and would have to send out at least $58 million in salary. A deal for Antetokounmpo could conceivably cost the Magic Carter Jr., Isaac, and Jalen Suggs.
