The Orlando Magic were one of the more unlikely success stories of last NBA season. While many could foresee teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder taking a leap, Orlando wasn’t on any radars.
A year after drafting Paolo Banchero first overall, expectations were at a minimum for the Magic. As a result, their resurgence took the Eastern Conference by storm. After consecutive lottery picks, the team was suddenly in the thick of the playoff hunt, even jockeying for home-court advantage.
Their season came to an end in a Game 7 of the first round but the future is all too bright in Florida. The majority of their core is at or near the beginning of their careers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic Updates
In particular, their two potential future stars in Franz Wagner and Banchero are still both under 23. As a result, it isn’t tough to envision the team becoming a major force in the coming years. Except, according to last year’s Rookie of the Year, that jump can and will come this season itself.
Paolo Banchero is confident in Orlando’s chances
It looks the East is going to have some genuine contenders next season. Teams like the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks will once again be in the thick of things, while the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers made major roster changes to bolster their chances.
From the way the offseason is shaping up, those four teams look like the cream of the crop. Then comes the next group featuring the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Indiana Pacers, the Miami Heat, and the Magic. While they are a perennial playoff threat, no one views them as contenders to the throne. And barring a miracle Jimmy Butler run, it doesn’t even look likely.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic Updates
But that isn’t the way Orlando or their superstar operates. After resetting expectations this season, Paolo plans to double down and do it again. According to him, his team has all the ingredients to climb up a tier this coming season. “We’re right there with all those elite teams in the East. I remember last year, we started off as a top-two, top-three seed, and everyone thought it was a fluke. Everyone thought we were going to be a play-in team and drop out of the top of the East. We finished strong and got the fifth seed and had a chance to really grab the two seed at the end of the season.”
For him, their placement last season, along with internal growth from the roster, should fuel their ascent next year. “We were right there last year. We got better this year. I got better; all of us got better. We got some new pieces that are going to help a lot. We’re trying to make some noise. We should easily be a top-four, top-three team, and have a chance to win the East.”
What are the hurdles that the Orlando Magic face?
Last season, Orlando was a top-five team defensively but were a struggle offensively. That is where the growth for the team needs to come from. At every position, the team is filled with great to elite defenders. But, the lack of offensive juice is a major question mark. In particular, their biggest weakness lies in jump shooting and three-point marksmanship.
For a league that is unilaterally moving away from the basket with the propensity of the three-pointer, the Magic’s struggles from distance are even more glorified. No one on the roster qualifies as a great shooter, who can combine both volume and efficiency.
Their two superstars, Wagner and Banchero, too, operate in the mid-range and close to the basket. For the team to truly emerge from the pack, shooting needs to be a priority for Orlando. And it looks like management agrees. With the addition of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, they now have one of the best 3-and-D wings in the league.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic Updates
While Pope immediately slides in as the best shooter on the team, he doesn’t compromise the team’s defensive identity either. So, the fit from a basketball perspective should be nearly seamless. But, his impact goes far beyond the score board and on-court production. “Getting KCP is going to help us a lot. That’s a guy that’s won 2 championships in the last 5 years. He’s been around some of the greatest of all-time. So, he’s going to be able to come out and make a huge difference for us.“
One source of optimism for the organization, it’s players, and the fanbase, is the youth of the team. Last season, when they were unseen run to a 5th-seed and first-round Game 7 finish, the team was among the youngest in the league. With that experience and a taste of playoff basketball, the team should see some natural progression. And that is something Paolo is also counting on.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic Updates
“We’re a really young team and getting that playoff experience and a top-five seed last year gives us a lot of momentum heading into next season. Everyone is going to be a year better, a year stronger, and more developed. We should be good next year.” Barring calamity, the Magic should, at the bare minimum, be good. But just how good is a question we will all get to witness in real time.
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