According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Orlando Magic will not exercise the $11 million team option on veteran forward Joe Ingles' contract next season, and Ingles will become a full free agent when free agency market opens. However, Wojnarowski also said that this does not mean that Ingles will definitely leave the Magic, and the two sides are expected to continue the conversation after the free agent opens next week. The 36-year-old Ingles will enter his 11th season in the NBA next season, and perhaps he has a chance to stay with the Magic.
In this season's NBA regular season, Ingles played a total of 68 games for the team, averaging 17.2 minutes per game, averaging 4.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.1 blocks per game, shooting 43.6% from the field, 43.5% from three-point range, and 82.4% from the free throw line. In the playoffs, Ingles played a total of 7 games for the team, averaging 9.7 minutes per game, averaging 1.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.4 steals per game, shooting 33.3% from the field, 28.6% from three-point range, and 50% from the free throw line.
Obviously, Ingles has been very poor this season, his regular season has been so-so, and although his scoring ability has dropped significantly, his three-point shooting percentage has remained at a relatively consistent level, and he has been able to use his experience and passing ability to help the team with passing and playmaking. However, in the playoffs, Ingles' offensive efficiency has declined further, and his passing ability has not been able to be brought into play, and it can be said that he has completely lost his role on the offensive end. Most crucially, his disadvantage in terms of foot movement speed is also further magnified. There's no doubt that with Ingles' performance in the playoffs, it looks like he's having a hard time adapting to the rhythm of high-intensity NBA games, and he's having a hard time playing on both ends of the floor.
It makes sense that the Magic would opt out of this team option, which could help them clear up a lot of salary space and use it to sign higher-level players on the free market. For the Magic, considering that Ingles also has some quality in the regular season and has some value for the team, if they can sign him with a veteran base salary, this is also an option to consider, but they should not have any idea of signing Ingles to a contract that exceeds the base salary. The Magic have shown tremendous improvement this season, and if they can sign the right players on the free market, they will make a big difference next season. In other words, they should find a way to spend every penny where it counts.