Orlando made it apparent that the Magic were serious about their plans for this summer and beyond when they dealt guards Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, plus with several future first-round picks, to acquire Desmond Bane from the Grizzlies last week.
But with slots to fill and choices to think about, the team isn’t finished building its roster for the next NBA season.
Under coach Jamahl Mosley, the Magic have a number of options for completing their roster, but there are things to consider in light of the league’s inherent financial constraints.
Jeff Weltman, president of basketball operations for the Magic, recently stated, “We put our foot on the gas here.” The DeVoses are dedicated to their squad, but I hope ours is good enough to deserve where the money will take us.
Weltman continued, “This trade is evidence of the DeVos family’s intense desire to provide this city with a winner.”
However, with the draft in a few days and free agency about to begin, Orlando must deal with some important questions:
With 12 players under regular contracts as of this past weekend, Orlando is presently expected to have about $4 million in first-apron space for the 2025–2026 campaign. As choices are made, that will alter.
There are two two-way places available for use in addition to the three regular roster spots that need to be filled.
The Magic still have two second-round selections (No. 46 and No. 57) and the No. 25 pick in this week’s NBA draft.
By turning down reserve center Moe Wagner’s $11 million club option, Orlando may free up additional room. This would enable the organization to re-sign him on a more cap-friendly contract while also making him an unrestricted free agent.
The NBA’s relatively new collective bargaining agreement included the league’s apron levels. Teams used to merely have to be concerned about the luxury tax.
There are now two measures that aim to introduce restrictions at specific spending limitations in order to establish a more balanced league.
According to Spotrac.com, the estimated prices for the first and second aprons are $195,946,000 and $207,825,000, respectively. Incorporating the anticipated first-year pay of the No. 25 pick will increase the Magic’s current estimated total compensation of $190,402,741 to $193,386,181.
Orlando will have access to many exemptions, including the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which is estimated to be worth $14.1 million, or 9.12% of the wage ceiling, if it can continue to operate under the first apron.
The Magic would only be eligible for the taxpayer mid-level exception, which is estimated to be worth $5.7 million, if they were to rise over the first apron but stay below the second.
In order to complete the Bane trade, Orlando recently rejected the team options for veteran guards Gary Harris and Cory Joseph.
The Magic were able to escape the second apron’s restrictions by denying the options for Joseph ($3.47 million) and Harris ($7.5 million in 2025–26).
Orlando has around a week to make a choice regarding its club options for either Caleb Houstan ($2.2 million) or Wagner ($11 million).
Houstan’s deadline is the following day, while Wagner’s is June 29.
If both parties agree, the Magic could postpone the guarantee dates in addition to refusing or accepting the club choices.
Although the Magic incur the danger of losing that player in free agency, it’s important to keep in mind that just because they reject a club option doesn’t mean the player can’t return on a new contract.
No. The Stepien Rule, which prohibits teams from trading their first-round pick in successive years, forces Orlando to make the first-round decision.
The Magic gave Memphis a 2026 first-round pick, including Phoenix’s swap rights, in exchange for Bane. The Grizzlies now have the authority to trade the Suns’ choice for next year.
Teams can begin negotiating with their own upcoming free agents on Monday, the day following Indiana vs. Oklahoma City in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Teams may start negotiating with all other upcoming free agents on June 30 (starting at 6 p.m. ET).
Teams can begin signing free agents at 12:00 ET on July 6.
On the same day as free agents July 6.
You can contact Jason Beede at [email protected].
