The Orlando Magic have the look of a team on the rise after they made the postseason for the first time in years.
Behind their star wing duo of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the Magic took the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games, though they lost in the final game and were sent home.
While it was disappointing for Orlando to exit the postseason early, the franchise has to be pleased with how the team looked and should be in line for some major upgrades this offseason.
The Magic will be one of the few playoff teams with cap space this summer and also have the draft equity and contracts to swing a major trade if they choose to go that route.
Orlando could use another scoring guard to help balance out the starting lineup, and one name to note is that of Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, who can become a free agent.
It seems that the Magic are indeed toying with the idea of signing Russell, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic (via Evan Sidery).
The Magic are interested in pursuing D’Angelo Russell, per @KellyIko (https://t.co/h8iyGPGDbW).
Russell, who has a $18.7 million player option, shot a career-best 41.5% on threes for the Lakers this season.
Alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner in Orlando, Russell could fit… pic.twitter.com/OAM4s90k7T
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 25, 2024
Russell previously signed a two-year deal with the Lakers with a player option for the 2024-25 NBA season that he is expected to decline after his strong regular season shooting the basketball.
Although Russell’s playoff record leaves much to be desired, he would be the perfect complement next to Banchero and Wagner as a floor spacer and secondary playmaker.
Orland could outright sign Russell to a big contract, and it’ll be interesting to see if the two sides strike an agreement later this summer.
