Making the playoffs just two times since 2013, the Orlando Magic have looked like a rebuilding franchise in the NBA for quite some time.
The Magic had some good eras with Shaquille O’Neal, Tracy McGrady and Dwight Howard over the years, but after trading Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier last season, Orlando signaled to everyone around the league that they were once again rebuilding.
While some tough years are ahead for this franchise, there is a lot to be optimistic about in Orlando right now pertaining to the Magic.
Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner are two first-round picks from 2021 that have looked good in their rookie season, Cole Anthony has had a breakout second year in the league and Wendell Carter Jr. has looked like the leader of this team at the power-forward/center positions.
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Along with having a ton of other young assets and draft assets through the next few years, the Magic definitely have potential for growth.
Heading into the offseason, Orlando will have close to $30 million in cap space, not factoring in Mo Bamba’s qualifying offer for being a restricted free agent, and they will have the ability to continue moving contracts for more future value.
Magic GM John Hammond definitely has a lot of work to do with head coach Jamahl Mosley and the team’s front-office, but the Magic are trending in the right direction for once and appear to have a long-term plan in place to find future success.
Currently 20-53 on the season, the Magic will likely end up with a Top-5 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, giving them a lot of options on what to do once the offseason begins.
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It will take time and may end up being stressful, but the Orlando Magic are trending towards long-term success in the midst of their rebuild and one of these three offseason moves could help them continue trending in the right direction during their rebuild.