Magic May Be Suitors For Paul George, Klay Thompson In Free Agency

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Orlando Magic should have nearly $50 million in cap space this offseason. That's enough for Orlando to get in the market for a big-name player, should they want to go that route.

Two players the Magic could have interest in are Paul George of the LA Clippers and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors. George has a player option for next season, which he is expected to decline. Thompson is set to become a free agent when the league year changes over.

Both George and Thompson could ink extensions with their current teams by the end of the day on June 30. But neither player has seemingly made much progress on the extension front.

Orlando has this offseason with near-max cap space, before their roster will start to get expensive. Both Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs are eligible to sign rookie scale extensions this summer. Those deals would start in 2025-06. Paolo Banchero will be extension-eligible in the summer of 2025. An expected max extension for Banchero would start with the 2026-27 season.

Via Marc Stein/The Stein Line

[Skipwhethers]

In what universe would either of these signings make sense? Orlando's timeline does not match up with either of these players' career stage, and that's before considering the salary cap hit they would take.

[SOUL]

In what universe would either of these signings make sense? Orlando's timeline does not match up with either of these players' career stage, and that's before considering the salary cap hit they would take.

Because the only other option is giving draft capital and young guys via trade to improve for guys that may fit the timeline a little better, and maybe they still do that in the future or next season, but that is risking a bit more besides cap room. Magic were very competitive as the 4th youngest team, almost made the 2nd round against the Cavs. I'm sure, if possible, a two year or three with team option or can work out timeline wise. Not sure about the fits in general or anything beyond that, obviously.

Not sure I understand the cap hit stuff. These next two years is when the Magic can and should feasibly sign people because they will have to extend Paolo/Franz/Suggs. You want to sign free agents and then extend your young guys, not the other way around.

[haste10176]

In what universe would either of these signings make sense? Orlando's timeline does not match up with either of these players' career stage, and that's before considering the salary cap hit they would take.

Because the only other option is giving draft capital and young guys via trade to improve for guys that may fit the timeline a little better, and maybe they still do that in the future or next season, but that is risking a bit more besides cap room. Magic were very competitive as the 4th youngest team, almost made the 2nd round against the Cavs. I'm sure, if possible, a two year or three with team option or can work out timeline wise. Not sure about the fits in general or anything beyond that, obviously.

Not sure I understand the cap hit stuff. These next two years is when the Magic can and should feasibly sign people because they will have to extend Paolo/Franz/Suggs. You want to sign free agents and then extend your young guys, not the other way around.

These are players that can help you byild but may not be around when you win but you never know look at horford

[Temuhjan]

Because the only other option is giving draft capital and young guys via trade to improve for guys that may fit the timeline a little better, and maybe they still do that in the future or next season, but that is risking a bit more besides cap room. Magic were very competitive as the 4th youngest team, almost made the 2nd round against the Cavs. I'm sure, if possible, a two year or three with team option or can work out timeline wise. Not sure about the fits in general or anything beyond that, obviously.

Not sure I understand the cap hit stuff. These next two years is when the Magic can and should feasibly sign people because they will have to extend Paolo/Franz/Suggs. You want to sign free agents and then extend your young guys, not the other way around.

Say, Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Black and two FRPs for Trae? Issac is expendable now that the team has Wendell Carter and Moritz Wagner. Trading Issac opens up more playing time for the duo.

[magicsanta]

Say, Jonathan Issac, Anthony Black and two FRPs for Trae? Issac is expendable now that the team has Wendell Carter and Moritz Wagner. Trading Issac opens up more playing time for the duo.

Idk if you don’t watch the magic, but Isaac is more important to the team than those two combined

[Temuhjan]

Say, Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Black and two FRPs for Trae? Isaac is expendable now that the team has Wendell Carter and Moritz Wagner. Trading Issac opens up more playing time for the duo.

Idk if you don’t watch the magic, but Isaac is more important to the team than those two combined

Here's the thing: Wendell Carter is a free agent this summer. He will look for a larger role elsewhere and walk out that door if you ain't trading Isaac.

So, you either get Trae and Carter, or you can keep Isaac and get stuck with a big void at the point.

It is a tough decision, but the choice should be obvious.

... and then there is also the nuclear option: trade for Trae, let Carter walk and sign Kevon Looney

[TheCage4]

We live in a time where $50 million is enough for one player

[Skipwhethers]

In what universe would either of these signings make sense? Orlando's timeline does not match up with either of these players' career stage, and that's before considering the salary cap hit they would take.

Because the only other option is giving draft capital and young guys via trade to improve for guys that may fit the timeline a little better, and maybe they still do that in the future or next season, but that is risking a bit more besides cap room. Magic were very competitive as the 4th youngest team, almost made the 2nd round against the Cavs. I'm sure, if possible, a two year or three with team option or can work out timeline wise. Not sure about the fits in general or anything beyond that, obviously.

Not sure I understand the cap hit stuff. These next two years is when the Magic can and should feasibly sign people because they will have to extend Paolo/Franz/Suggs. You want to sign free agents and then extend your young guys, not the other way around.

These are players that can help you byild but may not be around when you win but you never know look at horford

These are definitely fair points. But again, I would only sign PG or Klay to reasonable contracts that don't cripple the team's ability to sign younger free agents or take on more salary in trades down the road (less years, team option, etc. as you mentioned). I think that especially in PG's case, there will be a desperate team out there willing to offer him a max contract. It shouldn't be the Magic.

[Pickled Prunes]

Because the only other option is giving draft capital and young guys via trade to improve for guys that may fit the timeline a little better, and maybe they still do that in the future or next season, but that is risking a bit more besides cap room. Magic were very competitive as the 4th youngest team, almost made the 2nd round against the Cavs. I'm sure, if possible, a two year or three with team option or can work out timeline wise. Not sure about the fits in general or anything beyond that, obviously.

Not sure I understand the cap hit stuff. These next two years is when the Magic can and should feasibly sign people because they will have to extend Paolo/Franz/Suggs. You want to sign free agents and then extend your young guys, not the other way around.

These are players that can help you byild but may not be around when you win but you never know look at horford

These are definitely fair points. But again, I would only sign PG or Klay to reasonable contracts that don't cripple the team's ability to sign younger free agents or take on more salary in trades down the road (less years, team option, etc. as you mentioned). I think that especially in PG's case, there will be a desperate team out there willing to offer him a max contract. It shouldn't be the Magic.

PG will be at or near a max deal. Klay will be much cheaper, but not cheap enough.

[magicsanta]

Say, Jonathan Isaac, Anthony Black and two FRPs for Trae? Isaac is expendable now that the team has Wendell Carter and Moritz Wagner. Trading Issac opens up more playing time for the duo.

Idk if you don’t watch the magic, but Isaac is more important to the team than those two combined

Here's the thing: Wendell Carter is a free agent this summer. He will look for a larger role elsewhere and walk out that door if you ain't trading Isaac.

So, you either get Trae and Carter, or you can keep Isaac and get stuck with a big void at the point.

It is a tough decision, but the choice should be obvious.

... and then there is also the nuclear option: trade for Trae, let Carter walk and sign Kevon Looney

The option of trading for Trae is purely speculative. Even if it wasn’t why would it necessarily be THAT trade. Anyway no point in that line of thought

My point was that Isaac is far from being expendable. Especially in comparison with those two.