The Orlando Magic are trying to become a contending team again. After several appearances in the Eastern Conference playoffs when Dwight Howard was in his prime, the Magic have dropped off the map and are rebuilding their way to the top. They helped themselves in that effort even more during the trade deadline and now have the cap space to target big names come free agency.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the Magic will have around $50 million to spend in the offseason. The got rid of Channing Frye and his two year, $15 million contract. That got rid of the three years and $48 million assigned to Tobias Harris. In exchange, they kept most of their young talent while bringing on expiring contracts. Now the Magic can make some moves.
According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Magic plan to target both Joakim Noah and Al Horford who played together at the University of Florida while helping win back-to-back national championships. Now, the Magic wants to reunite the two players who will both be free agents. Deveney reports that Noah could come cheap thanks to his shoulder injury while Horford can demand a max contract the Magic can afford to give him.
The Magic do have a roster that might be enticing to a veteran player. The team has young talent in Aaron Gorfon and Victor Oladipo. If a veteran like Noah or Horford wants to help a franchise turn the final corner into becoming contenders, then the Magic are the best fit. However, Orlando will have competition to retain the players.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Horford is not opposed to the idea of re-signing with the Atlanta Hawks in the offseason. The team can afford a max contract for the forward and Horford is open to the idea noting that he likes the city and coaching staff.
"The city itself is a great city," Horford said, via Yahoo Sports. "People are great. This Hawks' organization is moving in the right direction. With the new ownership, with the coach, I really feel good about the future of the Hawks."
Noah reportedly wants to return to the Chicago Bulls. The center is out for the season with a shoulder injury and not on good terms with the franchise. However, Yahoo Sports is reporting that Noah still wants to stay with the team and might be willing to take a short-term deal in order to make it work. It remains to be seen if the feeling is mutual.
"I hope so," Noah said, via Yahoo Sports. "Right now, I'm not trying to focus on the future. ... Right now it's all about taking a step back and focusing on getting healthy. Then we'll go from there."