2023-24 season: 47-35
Highlight of the season: Their put up All-Star play. The Magic went 17-10, cementing themselves as a legit profitable workforce this season. While their 30-25 document earlier than the break was stellar, skepticism was nonetheless widespread given the age of the first core. Those doubts had been silenced because the Magic made it to the playoffs as atop-five workforce within the East, proving to be a future power to pay attention to.
How it ended
With a number of function and a transparent set of wants going into the summer time. The Magic turned an awesome defensive power this season, their third below head coach Jamahl Mosley, and ended the common season because the second-best defensive workforce within the league. For a workforce with just one participant above the age of 30 (Joe Ingles), that speaks volumes of their collective potential.
While most will discuss in regards to the play of Paolo Banchero, the Rookie Of the Year who made his first All-Star workforce this season, arguably the largest story is the evolution of Jalen Suggs. The third-year guard didn’t have the most effective begin to his skilled profession, struggling offensively throughout his first two seasons and was usually a legal responsibility on the ground.
This season, nevertheless, Suggs modified his strategy. Instead of attempting to change into a do-it-all level guard, he pivoted to changing into a 3&D two guard. He labored off the playmaking of Banchero and Franz Wagner and transformed 39.7% of his 3-point makes an attempt. with 85% of them being assisted, a big rise from the 69.4% mark over his first two seasons.
Suggs turning right into a dependable shot-maker was effectively timed, as Wagner, the workforce’s second-leading scorer, struggled together with his outdoors shot (28.1% from 3) all season, enjoying a notable function in Orlando being one of many worst 3-point taking pictures groups within the NBA. Ingles (43.5%) was the one Orlando participant who linked on over 40% from downtown this season, so the workforce handled extreme spacing points that minimized its general effectivity.
The excellent news is how the Magic saved themselves related regardless of a tough offense. For a younger workforce, having the ability to make the most of protection and hustle gamers to squeeze out wins — and fairly a couple of of them — is an enormously robust recipe for future success.
While the Magic didn’t make it far within the playoffs, they had been capable of reply after two depressing performances in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Games 1 and a couple of. The workforce may simply have rolled over, however saved at it, and managed to get again into the sequence. Now the Magic’s focus adjustments to the offseason, the place their to-do listing is extraordinarily apparent.
Biggest offseason want
An actual level guard and 3-point taking pictures. Orlando has seemingly drafted half the world’s guards lately, however nobody has actually popped as a star for them just but. The Magic must hit the market onerous this summer time and discover somebody who can run the ship alongside Banchero, who may even deal with the ball fairly a bit. Whatever guard they discover, that participant should be a high-volume 3-point shooter. Do they’ve the mandatory belongings for Trae Young? That stays to be seen, however he would match the archetype of participant they want.
Draft focus
Last yr the Magic invested within the backcourt, drafting guards Anthony Black and Jett Howard within the lottery. The draft this yr may concentrate on including dimension within the put up with Duke’s Kyle Filipowski, Yves Missi from Baylor, Kel’el Ware from Indiana or versatile 6-foot-11 G League Ignite ahead Tyler Smith, who was one of the crucial improved gamers within the league. — Krysten Peek
Projected draft picks (pre-lottery):
Nos. 18, 47
Salary-cap breakdown
Orlando has one of many cleanest cap sheets within the NBA. No participant is slated to make greater than $17.4 million (Jonathan Isaac), and the mixed cap holds of Fultz, Harris, and Chuma Okeke ($55.8 million) are anticipated to all be renounced. The workforce may additionally flip down its $11 million workforce choice on Ingles to additional clear up cash.
The Magic ought to have a minimum of $40 million to mess around with, that means they will go after huge fish and provide groups to soak up gamers into their cap house, which for costly groups deep into the posh tax could possibly be a saving grace. Expect the Magic to kick round a number of huge concepts this summer time to maintain momentum going.
Key free brokers
Markelle Fultz (UFA)
Gary Harris (UFA)
Next season’s objective
Get even higher and go deeper into the playoffs. Orlando isn’t about to show round and go right into a extra passive route. Not after this yr. The Magic are leaning into their core, they’re leaning into Banchero, and so they’re leaning into the concept of constructing one thing sustainable. Magic followers have each motive to be excited.
What can transfer the fantasy needle
The Magic exceeded final yr’s win whole by 13 video games, the second-highest margin within the league. Banchero earned his first All-Star berth, and Wagner put up career-highs in factors, rebounds and assists. But what actually caught the league unexpectedly was Orlando’s shift in changing into a top-three defensive workforce, a testomony to their potential for future progress and efficiency.
One of probably the most thrilling developments this season was Suggs’ mini-breakout. His improved protection and taking pictures from the sector make him a promising prospect for the upcoming season. Similarly, Wendell Carter Jr. is predicted to see an increase in his numbers, particularly if the Magic determine to not re-sign Goga Bitadze. These potential participant developments trace at a vivid future for the Magic.
As we look forward to subsequent season, there are nonetheless some uncertainties for the Orlando Magic. It’s too early to know if Black or Cole Anthony will take over level guard duties, or if Isaac can keep his efficiency for fantasy relevancy. However, one factor is for certain: There’s loads to stay up for for this younger Orlando unit. Don’t be stunned to see the Magic put money into some much-needed shooters to pair with Banchero and Wagner this summer time as they proceed to form their roster for the long run. — Dan Titus