The Orlando Magic took a step ahead in 2022-23, rising from the NBA’s basement after a tough begin to be a aggressive group (34-48) that carries optimism into the 23-24 marketing campaign. Final yr’s No. 1 total decide, Paolo Banchero, earned Rookie of the 12 months honors as he led the crew in scoring at 20 factors per sport, including 6.9 boards, and whereas there’s work to do by way of being extra environment friendly, the flashes of brilliance and quick translation of his abilities and bodily presence was obvious.
Whereas Banchero is the centerpiece, Orlando has plenty of current top-10 picks which might be intriguing as properly. Franz Wagner continued to point out his progress as a two-way wing, averaging 18.6 factors per sport on terrific effectivity, and Wendell Carter Jr. brings them an inside scoring presence (15.2 factors/8.7 rebounds per sport). This offseason is an enchanting one for Orlando, as a result of they’re a crew seemingly in place to make a transfer in the direction of being a playoff contender, however haven’t had a lot of a possibility to see their full group on court docket collectively. Solely Banchero, Wagner, and Bol Bol topped the 60-game mark this previous season. Whereas guard play is the obvious space of want, they will’t fairly make certain what they’ve in former top-5 decide Jalen Suggs, as his profession has been harm plagued to start out, and Cole Anthony likewise was a current mid-first spherical funding. In addition they have their highest priced participant, Jonathan Isaac, figuring to return in full this fall after coming again on the tail finish of this previous season in restricted motion.
One would count on them to hunt out a veteran scoring guard this offseason, with the sixth total decide offering an opportunity to gauge commerce alternatives in addition to a possibility to proceed add younger expertise. In some unspecified time in the future, the Magic might want to consolidate a few of that younger expertise to take the following step, however after already enhancing over the course of final yr, persistence wouldn’t be the worst factor for this Orlando crew.
Roster Wants: Backcourt scoring, wing depth
Anthony Black (No. 6 total), B: This was a tough spot for Orlando. Not solely did the Magic enter the night time with two of the highest 11 picks, however a number of the top-rated gamers remaining on the board had been considerably duplicative with Paolo Banchero and/or Franz Wagner. Because of this, Anthony Black is the selection, and he’s a flexible, gifted perimeter participant. Black’s major query mark on the offensive facet is his perimeter capturing, which may very well be a clunky slot in Orlando, however Black provides the Magic one other ball-handler with the scale to be a menace defensively.
2023 Free Brokers:
Mo Wagner (UFA)
Roster:
Jonathan Isaac
Markelle Fultz
Wendell Carter Jr.
Gary Harris (non-guaranteed)
Paolo Banchero
Jalen Suggs
Cole Anthony
Franz Wagner
Chuma Okeke
Michael Carter-Williams (crew possibility)
Bol Bol (non-guaranteed)
Goga Bitadze (crew possibility)
Caleb Houstan
Admiral Schofield (crew possibility)
