Magic Starting 5: Fred VanVleet No Longer Free Agent Option?

The Magic Insider lists five of the biggest NBA storylines in addition to relevant Orlando Magic news and analysis.

Jeremy Brener | Jun 21, 2023

In this story:

Orlando Magic

“Orlando has been linked to VanVleet due to his connection with Jeff Weltman during their time together in Toronto,” HoopsHype writes. “However, there’s some pessimism that Orlando would be willing to make a big splash in free agency by signing VanVleet with a predominantly young core that isn’t ready to contend at a high level now.”

2. MAGIC IN GOOD SPOT

"They could package and move up," ESPN NBA analyst Adrian Wojnarowski said on the Ryen Russillo podcast. "Or they could just say 'we're gonna keep taking swings at guys here. Orlando, we don't talk enough about them, they're putting themselves in position to be really good and they've got another chance at the draft here to get another impact guy potentially."

3. PATHWAY TO SUCCESS

"One of the things that we're very keen on paying attention to is giving each player a pathway to success and growing into their potential here," Weltman said. "That is part of our discussion as we go through the process."

4. DERECK LIVELY TO MAGIC?

"Interest in Lively is mostly driven by his potential to improve a team's defensive identity with rim protection," Bleacher Report writes. "The Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans are all potential suitors in the lottery, a range we no longer expect Lively to slip out of."

5. DRAFT COUNTDOWN

The Orlando Magic is one day away from the 2023 NBA Draft, where the team will welcome the newest members of the franchise.

Coverage begins on June 22 at 8 p.m. on ESPN.

You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Magic? Click Here.

Follow The Magic Insider on Facebook.

Follow The Magic Insider on Twitter.

Want even more Orlando Magic news? Check out the SI.com team page here.

Published Jun 21, 2023

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.