Al Horford and Nikola Vucevic (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
Atop the Orlando Magic's offseason list could be signing veteran free agents who could lead the team's pack of young talents.
The Magic are expected to make a run in this year's free agency, and rumors have it that the team could be looking at veteran help to boost the team's inexperienced squad, comprising of Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton.
The Magic are in position to sign one or two players max contract players, according to Cody Taylor of Basketball Insiders. While there will be plenty of veteran free agents available in the market this summer, including stars like Kevin Durant and DeMar DeRozan, Taylor suggested the Magic should choose wisely in spending their cap-space.
"It will be important for the Magic to be smart in free agency. Just because the team has money to spend, doesn't mean they have to spend it. Players like Al Horford, Chandler Parsons, DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal, Mike Conley, Rajon Rondo, Kent Bazemore and Marvin Williams (among others) could all become free agents this summer and are all among the players that seem obtainable (though some are much more obtainable than others)," Taylor wrote.
Among the free agents Taylor presented, the most realistic option and would probably fit well for the Magic would be Horford and Parsons.
Horford, who is currently playing the final term of his $60 million five-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks, has been linked to several trade rumors and potential free agency destinations. Signing Horford would not only give the Magic a veteran presence, but would also provide the team an incredible stretch four, which Orlando has been lacking.
After trading Tobias Harris to the Detroit Pistons, the Magic have been without a power forward who contribute on both ends of the floor. Horford's inside scoring and short-range perimeter shooting are identical with Vucevic's own skillset, and forming such tandem would only create one of the best frontcourt lineup in the league. Horford also played college ball in Florida, which could be a factor for the eight-year veteran.
Meanwhile, Parsons, who is expected to opt out of his three-year $46 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks, may not be that much of a veteran presence, but his playoff experience and potential should improve the Magic's wing position.
Parsons, who also played college ball for the Florida Gators, have recently been linked with the Magic as one of the team's interested at the Mavs wingman. Last month, ESPN's Tim MacMahon revealed that there could be a chance Parsons end up in Orlando this summer, with the 27-year-old prioritizing the chance to reach his potential rather than getting a huge salary.
"Parsons' decision will come down to comfort and the best opportunity to reach his potential -- not dollars -- according to sources familiar with his thinking," MacMahon disclosed.
"Orlando could allow Parsons, who prides himself on his recruiting ability, to have significant input on the team's other primary target. (Perhaps fellow Gator Al Horford?)."
It is not far-fetched to see Horford and Parsons teaming up together in Orlando, but it would still be a question of whether the two soon-to-be free agents are interested enough to relive their college days wearing Magic jerseys.
