NBA Free Agency: Orlando Magic Interested in LA Clippers Center?

The Magic have an opening in the frontcourt.

Jeremy Brener | Jun 29, 2022

NBA Free Agency: Orlando Magic Interested in LA Clippers Center? /

ORLANDO - With the Orlando Magic declining to give Mo Bamba a qualifying offer to make him a restricted free agent, it seems very likely that the center has played his final game for the team.

This means that the Magic is on the market to acquire a big man in free agency, likely one that won't cost as much as Bamba on the open market.

The team is likely to feature No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. in the starting frontcourt, but the team could use some depth considering Robin Lopez is also a free agent this summer.

One of those options is Los Angeles Clippers center Isaiah Hartenstein, a player the Magic are reportedly interested in according to Marc Stein.

Hartenstein is a four-year NBA veteran whose played for four teams already in his brief NBA career. Unlike the other two prospects, Hartenstein is a player you can build off of beyond the upcoming season. Just 24 years old, Hartenstein could fit the role that Bamba is about to vacate.

Last season with the Clippers, Hartenstein averaged 8.3 points and 4.9 rebounds backing up Ivica Zubac.

Hartenstein's intrigue comes from the idea that there's still a little development to be made in his overall game. He isn't a fully-baked product but also would be an upgrade over what the team currently has. He can give you anywhere from 15-25 minutes per game and be someone the team can rely on to play heavy quality minutes in a pinch.

Published Jun 29, 2022

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.