The Orlando Magic were one of the worst teams in 2020-21 and 2021-22. They went a combined 43-111 in the two seasons. They won the draft lottery in 2022 and selected Paolo Banchero with the first pick. While they didn’t make the playoffs in his rookie year, they got better as the season went along, finishing 34-48. They took another step forward in his second season.
2024 NBA Off-Season Preview: What’s Next For The Magic?
Season Recap
The Magic were one of the league’s biggest surprises in 2023-24, finishing 47-35. That earned them the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Orlando battled valiantly in their opening round matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers but ended up being eliminated in seven games.
On the defensive end is where the Magic truly excelled. Their 111.3 defensive rating was second-best in the NBA only behind the Minnesota Timberwolves. Guard Jalen Suggs was named to the All-Defensive Second Team.
Orlando’s two young cornerstones is where the offense went through. The 21-year-old Banchero was named an All-Star and averaged 27 points in the seven-game series with Cleveland. While 22-year-old Franz Wagner put up a dud in Game 7, he scored nearly 20 an outing during the regular season.
Projected Cap Space and Draft Picks
19 million in cap space
The Magic could look to upgrade at the shooting guard position in free agency with their projected cap space. Shooting as a whole needs to be upgraded after they finished last in 2023-24 making just 11 three-pointers per game. They could also look to the draft to find someone defenses must respect from beyond the arc.
Draft Picks: Nos. 18 and 47
Primary Targets
With Orlando in dire need of outside shooting, many of the primary targets listed are long range threats. As a freshman at Kansas, Furphy connected on 35.2% of his three-point tries. George’s freshman year at Miami saw him nail 40.8%. Schierman’s five-year career at South Dakota State and Creighton saw the 6’6″ guard make 39.0% including 38.1% last season. The 6’3″ Kolak was one of the top assist men in the nation at Marquette and shot 38.8% on threes last season.
The most interesting name here might be Collier. There was a time when his name was thrown out as the potential first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. His freshman year at USC didn’t fully go according to plan, and the Trojans really struggled to a 15-18 record. The 6’5″ guard still made nearly half his field goal tries while averaging 16.3 points.
Pending Free Agents and Possible Departures
Free Agents
- Markelle Fultz (Unrestricted)
- Gary Harris (Unrestricted)
- Joe Ingles (Team Option)
- Moritz Wagner (Team Option)
- Chuma Okeke (Restricted)
- Goga Bitadze (Unrestricted)
- Admiral Schofield (Restricted/Two Way contract)
- Kevon Harris (Restricted/Two Way contract)
- Trevelin Queen (Restricted/Two Way contract)
The first four names listed here were part of Orlando’s postseason rotation. The club options for Ingles and Wagner are worth $11 and $8 million, respectively. The 36-year-old Ingles totaled just 11 points in the seven-game series. The Magic may decide to move on from the ten-year veteran. Moritz Wagner, the older brother of Franz, was one of the better backup bigs in the league this season. He turned 27 on April 26, so Orlando should want to bring him back while he is in his prime.
After starting all 60 of his appearances in 2022-23, the 26-year-old Fultz started just 18 of 43 in 2023-24. He played eight less minutes per game, and his ball-handling responsibilities were lessened. In a free agent market not filled with top-notch point guards, someone may decide to pay Fultz more than the Magic are willing to. The 29-year-old Harris started at shooting guard for his six playoff appearances. He is a low-usage player who shot poorly in the postseason but provides value with his defense.
While Bitadze played just 10 minutes total in the playoffs, he started 33 games in the regular season. He averaged 1.2 blocks in 15.4 minutes per game.
Trade pieces
Nobody on Orlando’s roster seems to be on the trade block. If they look to improve the roster via trade rather than free agency though, these two players could been seen as valuable to other teams. The 11th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Howard barely played as a rookie. The 20-year-old played a grand total of 67 minutes over 18 games. The 6’8″ forward may have more of a role on a team that is in a rebuilding stage.
Carter Jr. is on a very tradeable deal and is still just 25 years old. He has three years left on his contract for a little less than $36 million. That’s excellent value for a player who has spent much of his six seasons as a starting center. The Magic surely want to hold on to him, but there would be many trade partners who would have interest in the 6’10” center.
Realistic Off-Season Targets
Trade
For a team that prides itself on defense, the Magic may have more interest in Murray than Trae Young if they get involved with the Atlanta Hawks in trade talks. It has been widely speculated that Atlanta will trade at least one of the two guards, and Murray would come to Orlando with his defensive chops and three-point shooting that is at least close to league average.
On an expiring deal, it doesn’t make much sense for a young team like the Portland Trail Blazers to hold on to the 31-year-old Brogdon. The 2022-23 Sixth Man of the Year has shot 43.1% from beyond the arc over the last two seasons.
Free Agents
There have been plenty of reports that Thompson and the Magic could have mutual interest. Could the four-time champion leave the only NBA team that he has played for? Hield was receiving DNP-CD for the Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs before breaking out in Game 6 of the first round. The 31-year-old has made between 219 and 288 three-pointers in the last six seasons. Monk was the favorite to win Sixth Man of the Year until a late-season knee injury sidelined him.
Russell has become somewhat of a scapegoat for the Los Angeles Lakers when it comes to their postseason exits. The 28-year-old shot a career-best 41.5% from deep in 2023-24. Over the last three seasons, Beasley has made 699 three-pointers. A lot of this off-season for the Magic will revolve around improving team scoring and outside shooting while hopefully sacrificing little on the defensive end.
