The Orlando Magic are one team who could be active this offseason but are tied down by their salaries. The team was pretty inactive at the deadline except for dealing backup guard Tyus Jones as part of a salary dump. After last offseason's blockbuster deal for Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane, the team will enter this offseason with a limited group of assets, especially in the draft pick department. Moritz Wagner is on an expiring contract and many believe the team will trade longtime veteran Jonathan Isaac, opening up some cap space. With Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner and Bane all making heavy salaries, the team will have to strike gold with some lower-tier signings.
Bleacher Report released a new article, predicting every NBA team's top 2026 free agent target following the trade deadline. The Magic's predicted top target is New York Knicks shooting guard Landry Shamet.
"It might be a stretch to target Landry Shamet if all the Orlando Magic can offer is a minimum salary," the article wrote. "The veteran guard has been a key figure in the Knicks' rotation, often profiling as their top three-point threat (career-high 44.3 percent) and best on-ball guard defender whenever Deuce McBride is unavailable. The Knicks have their own cap issues to navigate and may not bring Shamet back, especially if Jose Alvarado stays by picking up his player option. The Magic prefer guards who can defend their position and are forever in search of shooters. Shamet, 28, fits on both accounts and would make sense in the backcourt next to either Jalen Suggs or Anthony Black."
Shamet has bounced around multiple teams throughout his career but he has found a role with the Knicks rotation this season. Viewed as a three-point specialist, he is shooting an impressive 42.4 percent from three point range, which is his highest percentage since the 2018-19 season.
The Magic have long looked for perimeter shooting. They signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a hefty contract in 2024 but he quickly regressed, leading the team trade for Bane last offseason. Shamet would not cost nearly as much as either of the two and could be a good fit in the Magic rotation.
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