All eyes are on the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Duke’s Paolo Banchero, but that does not mean the Orlando Magic are not working on signing players to help the rookie. Or at least, re-signing players. As of now, the Magic have not signed any new players other than the rookies Banchero and Caleb Houstan, only retaining some of the free agents who finished their season in Orlando.
The Magic are probably looking to maintain their young core and create an identity for the future around Banchero, so consistency might be key. The franchise will probably improve a little bit from the 22-60 record last season, but high goals should still be in a future not so distant, now that the team has Banchero, Franz Wagner and the potential return of Jonathan Isaac.
With that said, here are the grades for the Magic’s most notable free agent deals so far.
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Orlando Magic 2022 NBA Free Agency Grades
Mo Bamba's 2-year, $21 million deal: A
Perhaps the highlight of the Magic free agency was bringing back center Mo Bamba on a two-year, $21 million contract. Signs were indicating Orlando and Bamba would go separate ways, especially after the Magic rescinded the qualifying offer to him, making Bamba hit the market as an unrestricted free agent.
The former Texas Longhorn averaged career bests of 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game last season, while also hitting 38.1% from beyond the arc. He featured in 71 games, starting 69, both the highest in his career after suffering from injuries throughout his first three years in the league.
At 24 years old, Bamba’s new contract is a potential low-risk, high-reward deal. The big man will have another chance of proving his value and earn an even bigger payday only two seasons from now. From the Magic’s perspective, should Bamba perform well, the team got him on a bargain; should he underperform, his salary will be off the books in only two years.
Without Nikola Vučević and having more chemistry with Wendell Carter Jr., Bamba has his shot at fully earning a spot with the Magic’s future.
Gary Harris’ 2-year, $26 million deal: B
Shooting guard Gary Harris is returning to Orlando on a two-year, $26 million extension.
After a couple of years dealing with injuries, Harris became an important piece off the bench with the Magic after being traded by the Denver Nuggets in the Aaron Gordon deal. Harris came off the bench in 30 out of the 61 games he played last season, averaging 11.1 points, his personal best since 2018-19, and hitting 38.4% from the 3-point line, his highest efficiency since 2017-18.
Additionally, Harris brings back some veteran experience to a locker room full of young pieces. He could mentor young guards, such as rookie Houstan and R.J. Hampton.
But perhaps the most important detail of Harris’ new deal with the Magic is that the second year is fully non-guaranteed, according to Spotrac. Another low-risk, high-reward signing for the Magic.
Bol Bol’s 2-year, $4.4 million deal: B+
Will this be Bol Bol’s breakout season? After three years in the league, he only managed to appear in 53 regular-season games, averaging only 2.7 points in 6.2 minutes per game. Once a five-star recruit and a projected lottery pick, Bol’s career in the NBA has yet to live up to its expectations.
With the Magic letting veteran Robin Lopez walk in free agency, Bol joined the franchise for center depth. The question is if he will have a fully healthy season.
And once again, the Magic go with a low-risk, high reward deal: $4.4 million for two years, according to Spotrac. The deal also includes a team option for the second year, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
The Magic are giving Bol another shot in the NBA, and he should be ready to go once his name is called.
Overall, it has been a very solid offseason for Orlando. No fancy moves, but the team managed to keep its core and relied only on the draft to add new pieces.
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