The Orlando Magic have been linked to Los Angeles guard (and potential impending free agent) D'Angelo Russell this upcoming offseason.
Jovan Buha of The Athletic provided the latest (h/t Jesse Cinquini of Lakers Daily):
"Orlando's the team," Buha said at the 54:15 mark. "Orlando is the team that—talking to people with the Lakers, talking to people outside the Lakers—Orlando is the team that probably gives them the most concern in terms of a potential suitor."
The 28-year-old Russell has averaged 18.1 points and 6.4 assists per game this season. He has a player option for 2024-25 ($18.7 million) but can decline it and enter free agency in the summer.
The fifth-place Magic look set to be perennial playoff contenders for some time with Paolo Banchero leading the way. Franz Wagner is his primary wingman, and he's complemented by a strong young core that includes Jalen Suggs and Wendell Carter Jr, among others.
Orlando could use another big-time scorer and ball-handler to help ease the scoring burden though. No Orlando player scores 13 or more points per game outside of Banchero and Wagner. The Magic struggle offensively in general, sitting bottom five in the NBA in scoring and 23rd overall in offensive rating, per Basketball-Reference.
Russell could come in and provide a huge offensive boost to this team, though, so Orlando's reported interest in him is no surprise. The Magic also have a ton of cap space to burn, so money won't be an issue here either. Per HoopsHype, the Magic are on the hook for $85,511,895 in 2024-25. The NBA salary cap is projected at $141 million.
We'll see what comes to fruition down the road. For now, the Lakers and Magic both have their eyes on the playoffs as the regular season quickly comes to a close.
