What the Magic need to do this offseason

Now that the 2023-24 NBA regular season is over, we’re turning our attention to how each team should approach the offseason, including the draft and free agency. It starts with the 10 teams that have been jockeying for lottery position and the best chance of making the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA draft. Eight more teams joined them after losing in the first round, and they’ll be followed by the eight teams who participate in the 2024 NBA playoffs.

We’re breaking down the potential moves for each franchise, including a look at the state of each roster, finances, priorities for each front office, extension candidates to watch, team needs and future draft assets.

Key: ETO= Early Termination Option | P= Player Option | R=Restricted | T=Team Option

Jump to a team:

ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WSH

Eliminated in first round

2023-24 record: 47-35

Draft picks in June: No. 18 (own) and No. 47 (own)

Free agents: Orlando Magic, Paolo Banchero, Tyus Jones.

One scenario that should not be overlooked is Philadelphia targeting an All-Star in a trade. Besides cap space and the ability to use their own free agents in a sign-and-trade, the 76ers have five tradable firsts and multiple pick swaps available.

Extension candidate to watch: Signing Embiid to a three-year, $193.5 million extension on July 18 would seem like a no-brainer for the 76ers’ front office. Embiid is in the prime of his career (he turned 30 in March), won an MVP in 2022-23 and has averaged double-figure points and rebounds in seven straight seasons. Embiid joined Chamberlain (1963-64) as the only players to average 35 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a single season. However, paying to keep Embiid in a 76ers uniform through the 2028-29 season will not be an easy decision. Embiid is an MVP candidate when he is healthy, but his availability has been sporadic. Embiid underwent surgery on his left knee in February, the fifth surgery of his NBA career. He has missed 336 games since the 2014-15 season, and there should be concern paying him $59.7 million, $64.5 million and $69.3 million in three seasons on a new contract, especially when there are already three years left (the last year is a player option) on his current deal.

Other extension candidates: None

Team needs: Starters to compliment Maxey and Embiid. Bench depth.

Future draft assets: Trading James Harden to the Clippers restored some of the draft equity Philadelphia had lost in prior trades. The 76ers can trade their 2024 first-round pick starting the night of the draft. They also have the least-favorable 2026 first from Oklahoma City, Houston (if 5-30) and the Clippers. They are owed an unprotected first from the Clippers in 2028 and have the right to swap firsts with LA in 2029 (if 4-30). In total, Philadelphia can trade up to five firsts starting in late June. The 76ers owe the Thunder a first-round pick from the Klay Thompson, Malik Monk, Buddy Hield or even Gary Trent Jr., (R), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the Wizards’ roster. Instead the selling point is patience and a partnership. The patience comes with the realization that the current roster will turn over multiple times before there is stability. The Wizards finished in the bottom three in defensive efficiency and have 12 players under contract. The partnership is a multiyear plan of creating winning habits and identity on the court. The new head coach and front office will have a decision to make with Jones. The veteran had career highs in points (12.0), assists (7.3), field goal percentage (48.9%) and 3-point shooting (41.4%). Jones averaged 1.0 turnover or less for the ninth consecutive season, but he missed the last month of the season with a back injury.