Orlando Magic star forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner struggle to stay healthy, as the former appeared in 46 games last season and the latter played in 60.

Injury-riddled veteran Jonathan Isaac and the youthful Tristan da Silva are listed as the backups for Banchero and Wagner, making obvious the need for some additional depth in the forward room.

Bleacher Report named former No. 1 pick Ben Simmons as the third-best unsigned free agent, and he could be of great help to this Magic team hoping to compete in the wide-open Eastern Conference.

"Ben Simmons is 29 years old, plays multiple positions and holds career averages of 15.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks per game," the article shared. "If you stopped the analysis there, he would rank No. 1 on this list by a mile, and you'd be wondering how in the world a player that productive wound up a free agent in the first place.

The issue with adding Simmons to the mix is the questions surrounding his motivation and level of commitment to basketball. For how little the Magic could sign him for on a one-year deal, it's likely a risk worth taking. He is a strong contributor on both sides of the ball, capable of scoring on the interior and playmaking at a solid level when focused.

"The long-odds potential of Simmons rediscovering his desire is enough to land him at No. 3 in a weak class of free-agent leftovers. If motivated, he could easily be the most productive, versatile and sought-after player in this group," the article concluded.

It's hard to imagine Simmons has suited up for the final time in the NBA, so Orlando's front office may want to act rather swiftly if interested in the 29-year-old.

Jonathan Isaac Shares Evaluation Of His Newest Teammates

As the Magic prepare for their final preseason game on Thursday, power forward Jonathan Isaac is glowing over the performances of Desmond Bane and Noah Penda. 

After Tuesday’s practice, Isaac lauded his new teammates, starting with Penda. 

“He's just,” Isaac said. “He's extremely versatile. You know, he doesn't have one thing that you kind of pinpoint to his game. He can shoot it. I think the biggest thing I like in him is just that he's a player. He's a ball player. He can put it down. He can find open guys, get into the lane. And his defensive understanding already is great. So he's going to have a great year for us.” 

Penda was acquired by the Magic in a draft night trade with the Boston Celtics as the 32nd pick. Through three preseason games, the 20-year-old is averaging 6.6 points. 

According to Isaac, there is a level of Bane’s play that fans, nor the team, has witnessed yet. 

“Man, we haven't even, especially during the preseason, but haven't even seen him scratch the surface of the player that he is,” Isaac said. “He was here throughout the summer, we were able to play, even today, him getting up and down the floor, he's a phenomenal player, phenomenal IQ, can really, really shoot it, and I know that's gonna continue to come out as the season goes on, but his ability to soak up attention, you know, from a defense.” 

“We have so many guys on the floor at one time where a defense on another team would be focused all on that one guy, you know, but now you have three or four guys on a team without, okay, we gotta do something specific against him, and specific against him, and specific against him.” 

Bane was the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade that brought him from the Memphis Grizzlies to Orlando in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony and a bevy of first-round picks in June. Through five NBA seasons, Bane is a career 41 percent 3-point shooter. He has also averaged 17.8 points, making him a welcome addition to a  team trying to escape the bottom of the league in offensive production. 

Isaac, on the other hand, is entering just his active season with the Magic despite being selected by the organization with the sixth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Isaac tore his left ACL in the NBA Bubble in 2020, causing him to miss the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. He finally returned to the lineup in January 2023.