If the Detroit Pistons end up losing Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. this summer, the Orlando Magic should be the prohibitive favorites to sign them away from the Motor City.
Let's consider why that's the case. If you look at the Magic, they were probably going to finish with one of the best records in the Eastern Conference this past season if they didn't incur all the injuries they did.
Many, myself included, believe that they're just a few small lateral moves away from becoming one of the most complete teams in the East. With the star power of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, Orlando should be challenging for the East title next season.
But of course, when it comes to the Magic, their biggest issues come on the offensive side of the ball. In 2024-25, Orlando finished with the worst three-point shooting percentage of any team in the association. Obviously, that will have to improve if they're to reach the level of a true title contender.
The Magic would have a lot of use for Beasley's shooting
The Magic are going to be looking around the league at some of their rivals and looking at what players they can poach for a reasonable amount of money. In their searching, they will likely be making some calls to the Detroit Pistons about guys like Beasley and Hardaway.
These types of players provide instant offense, and they're the type of lethal shooting threats from outside the three-point arc that can create a lot of offensive gravity for your team. For a team that's a stagnant as Orlando offensively, these guys would be total game-changers.
To a lot of other teams, a Beasley or a Hardaway wouldn't be that much of a needle mover, in theory. But the Magic's need for shooting is so vital that you have to think they'd go hard after these types of players. What this does is give Detroit a unique leverage.
The Pistons will now be able to upcharge for guys that aren't max players simply because of the Magic's needs. Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway are both free agents this summer. Beasley made just $6 million this past season, while Hardaway made just $16 million in 2024-25.
Of course, after finishing the regular season with the second most three-point makes of any player in the league, Beasley will already be due for a pay increase. Losing him would sting, but perhaps Detroit isn't willing to shell out what he'll be owed. But in any event, the Pistons are in a very solid position to get maximum return back if the Orlando Magic start hitting their line this summer.