The Vertical Front-Office Insider Bobby Marks, a former 20-year executive with the Nets, looks at the possible offseason plans and roster details for every team in the league.

Previous teams in the series: Nets and Suns | Timberwolves and 76ers

ORLANDO

Offseason focus

1. Establishing a new voice

Whomever Orlando hires will become the franchise’s third general manager in the last 10 years. The new GM should have full autonomy over the roster. The team’s direction needs to be all about the long-term health of the organization. The team needs to build through the draft and become active on the trade front. It should not rely on cap space to put a foundation in place.

2. Trust coach Frank Vogel

Vogel is the third head coach in a five-year span for Orlando. He has a winning pedigree from his days in Indiana and a proven track record of player development and creating a basketball identity. He should be part of the interview process when Orlando meets with prospective general manager candidates. His relationship with the next head of basketball operations will be critical for the Magic.

3. The roster puzzle

The new GM will inherit an unbalanced roster that includes $30 million in salary at the center position. In a league in which teams are focusing on position-less players, Orlando went in the opposite direction last summer with the additions of Bismack Biyombo, Jeff Green and D.J. Augustin. The Magic need help at small forward and backup power forward, and must identify whether Elfrid Payton is their point guard of the future.

4. Salary not translating to wins

Orlando learned this past season that $104 million in salary (eighth in the NBA) does not guarantee a playoff berth. The Magic changed their philosophy of building through the draft and began taking risks on the trade market (Serge Ibaka) and in free agency. The moves obviously didn’t pay off.

5. Rookie extension candidates

Former lottery picks Aaron Gordon and Elfird Payton are extension-eligible this summer. Gordon was most effective this season at his true position of power forward. Still only 21, Gordan has missed only six games the past two seasons. Elfrid Payton has started 190 of 237 career games and has developed in each of his three seasons, but questions remain about his long-distance shooting and consistency. The franchise’s new management will need to decide both players’ value and if they are part of the future. They will have a combined $25 million cap hit in 2018 and tempering extension talks gives the Magic flexibility when both are restricted free agents.

The Magic need to decide if Aaron Gordon is a part of their future. (AP) More

Magic’s summer cap breakdown

Guaranteed 2017-18 Insider info

Bismack Biyombo $17,000,000

Evan Fournier $17,000,000

Nikola Vucevic $12,250,000 Extension eligible

Terrence Ross $10,500,000 Extension eligible

D.J. Augustin $7,250,000

Aaron Gordon $5,504,420 Rookie extension eligible

Mario Hezonja $4,078,320

Elfrid Payton $3,332,340 Rookie extension eligible

Story continues