The Orlando Magic are heading into the 2026 offseason with a tricky blend of ambition and financial constraint. After largely sitting out this year’s trade deadline-aside from moving backup guard Tyus Jones in what amounted to a salary dump-the front office is gearing up for a summer that could shape the next phase of the franchise’s development. But with limited draft capital and a payroll already stretched by big contracts, Orlando will have to get creative.
Let’s start with the core. Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, and Desmond Bane are all locked in and eating up significant cap space.
That’s a strong foundation, no doubt, but it also means the Magic won’t have the flexibility to chase marquee free agents. Instead, they’ll need to find value on the margins-something every successful team eventually has to master.
One potential move that’s gaining traction? Targeting Knicks guard Landry Shamet in free agency.
Now, let’s be clear: the Magic aren’t likely to be throwing bags of cash at Shamet. If they’re pursuing him, it’s probably on a minimum or mid-level type deal.
But even at that price point, there’s reason to believe he could be a smart addition. Shamet has carved out a meaningful role in New York this season, emerging as one of their most reliable perimeter threats.
He’s shooting 42.4% from beyond the arc-his best mark since his rookie year-and has stepped up as a perimeter defender, especially when Deuce McBride has been sidelined.
That kind of two-way play is exactly what Orlando has been missing on the wing. The Magic have been hunting for consistent outside shooting for years.
Remember the Kentavious Caldwell-Pope experiment? They paid up in 2024 hoping he’d bring veteran shooting and defense, but his production dipped fast, and the team pivoted by trading for Bane last offseason.
Bane’s been impactful, but the Magic still need more depth in the backcourt-especially players who can space the floor and hold their own defensively.
That’s where Shamet fits. At 28, he’s a seasoned vet who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact.
He can slot in alongside either Jalen Suggs or Anthony Black, giving the Magic a steady shooter who can also guard his position. And unlike previous targets, Shamet wouldn’t require a massive financial commitment.
Of course, there’s still the matter of cap space. Moritz Wagner’s expiring contract and the potential trade of longtime forward Jonathan Isaac could open up some breathing room.
But even with those moves, Orlando will need to be surgical in how they approach free agency. They’re not in a position to overpay, and they don’t have the draft assets to swing another blockbuster.
That’s why a move like Shamet makes sense. It’s not flashy, but it’s functional.
He brings skills this roster needs, fits the team’s defensive identity, and won’t break the bank. If the Magic want to keep building without blowing up their cap sheet, this is the kind of smart, under-the-radar signing that could pay dividends.
The road ahead for Orlando isn’t about splashy headlines-it’s about smart roster construction. And if they can find a few more pieces like Shamet to complement their core, they’ll be in a strong position to keep climbing the Eastern Conference ladder.