It’s imperative during a plodding renovation to not concentrate on wins and losses. The focus should mainly be on player development, the team’s financial position as it relates to the salary cap and research on draft prospects and potential future free agents.
There are very few teams – if any – other than the Magic that have that entire itinerary in order.
Orlando has an assemblage of promising young players currently developing. We have already seen significant strides from Nikola Vucevic, Arron Afflalo, Tobias Harris (when healthy), Andrew Nicholson, Maurice Harkless and Victor Oladipo. They are all several miles away from reaching their ceilings, which is exactly what you expect from guys who have only been in the league for a short time.
The Magic also will have a plethora of cash to work with in upcoming free agency periods. And while they may not necessarily spend frenetically at any one time, the opportunity to obtain proven and reputable players will be an option.
Let’s remember that every time Orlando has had salary cap space in its history it has flourished. The Magic landed Horace Grant in 1994, Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill in 2000 and Rashard Lewis in 2007.