Kofi Inkoom
The Orlando Magic are planning a major roster overhaul this offseason, aiming to bring in fresh talent as they set their sights on a championship run next season.
Denver Nuggets’ starting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is expected to attract significant interest in free agency, as he is likely to decline his player option and explore the market.
According to Jake Fischer from Yahoo Sports, the Magic are seeking a veteran wing player who can stretch the floor, and Caldwell-Pope appears to be their top target.
“With that said, let’s say the Magic prove to be open to something similar to Bruce Brown’s contract last summer, when the Pacers inked the former Nuggets swingman to a two-year, $45 million deal, the second season being a team option. That number would be below what Thompson declined from Golden State prior to the 2023-24 campaign, sources said, and would not come close to the four years and $78 million Sacramento plans to give Monk. Thompson is also believed by league sources to want a deal of at least three seasons. Therefore, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would seem, at present, to be the veteran in line to benefit from the Magic’s cap space. Caldwell-Pope is also believed to have a potential home in Chicago, should the Bulls ultimately lose out on Williams, in addition to Philadelphia viewing the veteran wing as a backup option,” Fischer writes.
The Magic have been eager to upgrade their backcourt over the past year. With Jalen Suggs now established as a reliable guard, the team is looking to add a shooting guard to complement him rather than another point guard.
Malik Monk was initially considered a strong candidate, but with Monk likely staying with the Sacramento Kings, the Magic have shifted their focus to short-term options such as Klay Thompson and Caldwell-Pope.
There are also scenarios where Orlando might exercise their $11 million team option on Joe Ingles, according to sources referenced by Fischer. The Magic are also reportedly linked to Warriors’ Klay Thompson but are not willing to offer him a long-term deal.