The Orlando Magic just saw the Miami Heat, their division and in-state rival, add another piece to their roster, and it is a player the Magic were once rumored to be pursuing.

On Friday, it was reported by ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania that Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Heat after he clears waivers following a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks. So, what does this mean for Orlando?

In the summer of 2024, the Magic had just broken their playoff drought and had taken the Cleveland Cavaliers to the brink in the first round, but lost in Game 7.

Orlando’s young core of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs demonstrated the necessary talent to lead Orlando to the postseason, but neither the trio nor the team as a whole could consistently knock down perimeter shots enough to win the series.

For the Magic, poor 3-point shooting was not just an issue in the playoffs, but during the year. When the season ended, Orlando needed someone who could alleviate that weakness, and having a veteran who could do it and bring experience to such a young group was even more beneficial.

That’s where Klay Thompson may have been the answer.

The Magic pursued Thomspon as their big free-agent target, but he ultimately decided on the Dallas Mavericks after Orlando’s front office did not offer him a long enough contract. After missing out on Thompson, the Magic attempted to fix their perimeter shooting woes by signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Caldwell-Pope’s signing was underwhelming to say the least, and after he played just one season of his three-year deal, the Magic packaged him with Cole Anthony and multiple first-round picks in a trade for Desmond Bane.

Now, Thompson is making his way to Florida, but the four-time NBA champion and five-time All-Star chose veteran star power over promising potential. 

This might not be surprising, as Thompson is nearing the end of his career and likely feels that his best chance of lifting another Larry O’Brien trophy is alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. The Heat are lacking spacing and depth after trading for Antetokounmpo, and Thompson might address that.

However, the Magic should not sweat it too much. Sure, they could also use a floor-spacing shooter, but Thompson is not who he once was. He is 35 years old, has an injury history, and, while his pedigree and resume cannot be denied, is coming off the lowest 3-point percentage of his career (38%). 

It would not be worth it for Orlando to focus on the past. Instead, this group needs to show it can win, and I emphasized the critical nature of this season on the Full Court Magic Podcast.