The Orlando Magic prioritized fixing their offense throughout the summer time. They gave up 4 first-round picks for Desmond Bane, introduced in Tyus Jones, and drafted Jase Richardson. It appeared that for the primary time of their careers, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero would have spacing round them. That has not materialized this yr.
Orlando is eleventh in offensive ranking on the season, however that quantity could be very deceiving. They’re twenty first in true-shooting proportion, twenty sixth in three-point proportion, twenty sixth in three-point makes per recreation, and 18th in field-goal proportion. They’ve additionally utterly unraveled offensively this month, as they’re twenty fifth in offensive ranking.
Whereas the Magic have handled accidents to Wagner and Banchero, they nonetheless wouldn’t have sufficient offensive firepower. Their lack of capturing has doomed them in every of their final two playoff runs. There may be one guard that will likely be accessible on the commerce deadline that may increase the Magic’s firepower.
Orlando ought to purchase Malik Monk to assist their offense
The Magic have been set to go after Monk when he was a free agent a pair offseasons in the past, however he re-signed with the Kings as quickly as free company opened. With Sacramento trying to shake issues up on their roster, Orlando ought to pursue Monk.
Monk has been one of many NBA’s higher offensive reserves over the previous few seasons. He has averaged at the least 13 factors per recreation the final 5 seasons and has shot higher than 35 p.c from three-point vary in 4 of them.
This yr, Monk’s scoring is all the way down to 12 PPG, however his minutes have gone all the way down to 23 an evening as properly. He’s nonetheless environment friendly from downtown, capturing 41 p.c from three-point vary. He’s additionally flattening 42 p.c of his catch and shoot threes and 45 p.c of his open threes. Each of these figures would lead the Magic roster.
Monk would full the Magic’s reserve unit
Orlando has seen Anthony Black emerge as an vital rotational piece and including Monk subsequent to him would give the staff a harmful reserve duo. Monk additionally provides motion shot creation and slashing that the Magic want extra of.
Orlando has the property to amass Monk. Including one other skilled shooter and scorer for his or her bench would make them extra full as a contender within the East. The convention is wide-open, so any transfer across the margins to enhance their shot creating and floor-spacing would profit the Magic in an enormous manner.
