5 Free agents who should be on the Heat's summer wish list
By Wes Goldberg
Goga Bitadze
The Orlando Magic will have to make a decision at center and Goga Bitadze could be the odd-man out. Already with Wendall Carter Jr., Moritz Wagner and Jonathan Isaac under contract through at least next season, the Magic may have to allow Bitadze to test free agency.
Bitadze started 20 straight games from November to December while the Magic dealt with injuries and played well, averaging 8.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.9 blocks on 59% shooting during that stretch.
He’s not the floor spacer like Valanciunas or Olynyk, but he did average 4.1 3-point attempts per 36 minutes in his first three seasons. Giving up the range to play down low has helped his game, but one can’t help but think he could expand his game back to the perimeter now that he has his NBA footing.
Because of his impressive showing as a starter this season, Bitadze could be in line for a contract similar to the one Isaiah Hartenstein signed in 2022 (two years, $16 million) which would be beyond Miami’s price point. But perhaps Bitadze takes a discount to stay in Florida.