Paolo Banchero (left) was a 1st-time All-Star last season, while Jalen Suggs was named to the All-Defensive Second Team.
Offseason
- Re-signings: Goga Bitadze, Gary Harris, Jonathan Isaac, Franz Wagner, Moritz Wagner
- Additions: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (free agent), Cory Joseph (free agent)
- Draft: Tristan da Silva (No. 18 pick)
- Departures: Joe Ingles (free agency)
- Unsigned Free Agents: Markelle Fultz, Kevon Harris, Chuma Okeke, Admiral Schofield
Last season
This team’s development kept trending upward as the Magic won 47 games, reached the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and played a tough seven-game series with the Cavs before bowing out in the first round. All were significant signs for a franchise that emphasized organic growth and began reaping the benefits of smart drafts.
Paolo Banchero emerged as one of the league’s true young forces (22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists) and was joined by Franz Wagner (19.7 points) to give Orlando a foundational duo. Also, Jalen Suggs emerged as a top defensive guard. All told, the Magic stayed competitive most nights and earned league-wide respect.
Summer summary
When a team is mainly homegrown, eventually the bill comes due in the form of contract extensions. This is a good thing and proves such a team made the right decisions and wants to keep those players. Therefore, the Wagner brothers got paid, as did Isaac (a mild surprise, though he did stay healthy and plays D).
Orlando also added veteran help in Caldwell-Pope, who brings range to the team that made the fewest 3-pointers in the league last season. He’s also championship-tested (twice), which will go over well in the locker room should the Magic go on a playoff run.
Rookie Profile
Introducing Tristan Da Silva of the Orlando Magic, the No. 18 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Spotlight on
Orlando needs a ball distributor, and without a true top-shelf point guard on the roster, you wonder if Suggs can grow into that role. Suggs is the future for sure, if only because of his defense. A fair amount of the offense is admittedly run through Banchero, who led the Magic at 5.4 assists per game. Orlando would do well to find a backcourt player on the roster (Suggs?) to relieve him of that or look for one at the trade deadline.
How far can the Magic go?
The Orlando Magic have the look of an ascending team that could surprise fans and opponents this season.
Assuming this young core continues to grow, this is a 50-win team in the making. Banchero could flirt with All-NBA status while Suggs should get more All-Defensive notice. Franz Wagner can lead this team in scoring.
Much will depend on other issues: matchups, whether Orlando can hold a strong home-court advantage, better 3-point shooting. Overall, Orlando is headed in the right direction. Management was wise to refrain from making massive changes in the offseason. The idea was to keep this group together for at least another season to measure its ceiling and how well everything meshes.
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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