NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Orlando Magic

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 09: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball while being guarded by Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks in the first quarter at the Bradley Center on April 9, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Aaron Gordon;Jabari Parker /

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Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks

TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 01: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball during the second half of an NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Air Canada Centre on January 1, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

1. Fred VanVleet

Always be wary of the player who has a breakout year and then looks for the big contract. It is a tale as old as time in the NBA. Teams overpaying for someone who is better used as a backup because he had a breakout season.

Fred VanVleet may be in that category after he averaged 8.6 points per game as he graduated from fringe rotation player to reserve player. Now, all of a sudden, VanVleet could be in for a bigger payday as a second round pick and maybe some starting buzz.

The Magic are certainly a team desperate enough for some point guard help to go after a player like him.

VanVleet is a capable player. He is a good defender and can be pesky coming off the bench. He has a decent 3-point shot., making 41.4 percent of his 3-pointers last year. For a Magic team with a lot of guys who need the ball already, VanVleet could be a good game manager more than a lead guard creating for everyone else.

Then again, the Magic might be looking for a bit more of a surerlong-term option.

Next: 20 best free agents available

Still, the Magic could be perfectly OK going with VanVleet as a starter on a trial basis next year. They may offer him a contract similar to D.J. Augustin’s $7.5 million deal. Then they could leave themselves open to keep searching the marekt for a starting point guard in the years to come.

In some ways this is the exact type of risk the Magic should take. The team is still looking to help young players get better and feature them. Winning is not quite the main goal for Orlando yet.

The Magic are going to be looking for bargains. And VanVleet might be the kind of player they could get on a bit of an overpay to fill a need for the short-term and then fill a a more realistc goal in the long term.

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