The Orlando Magic prepared to take an even bigger step forward this off-season as Paolo Banchero leads the way. After re-signing key players and focusing their attention on further developing the team’s young core, the Magic have high hopes and expectations going into the new season.
Orlando Magic Off-Season: A Review To Date
Magic Off-Season Focused on Resigning Young Talent
The 2024 off-season for the Orlando Magic has turned out to be one of the better ones in the league for up-and-comer teams. Last year, the Magic made the playoffs for the first time with their future superstar in Banchero. Orlando also entered the summer with plenty of cap space on the table, which is a plus for young teams on the rise. Instead of hunting for a high-profile name or star veterans (although Klay Thompson was apparently on Orlando’s radar for a short time), the Magic have so far decided to lean into and focus on their young core.
If anything, this off-season was an opportunity for the Magic to trust their own process, hoping that making the postseason last year was not an anomaly. Resigning a few key pieces and adding a reliable free agent were a part of the Magic’s off-season maneuverings. Banchero recently spoke with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith on First Take regarding the Magic and their outlook for next season. Banchero also sounded pretty confident in Magic’s positioning to come out on top in the Eastern Conference.
With their collection of young talent, a budding superstar in Banchero, and expectations increasing due to last year’s rise, Orlando is in a position to make another gratifying leap forward in the 2024-25 season.
Key Player Departures
Former No.1 draft pick Markelle Fultz departed the Magic this off-season after spending the last four seasons with the team. Fultz revitalized his career in a way during his time in Orlando. Fultz is currently unsigned and remains a free agent.
Other departures included 11-year vet Joe Ingles, who signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Kevon Harris.
Key Player Acquisitions
The Magic spent most of their off-season dealings with already-established franchise players. Brothers Moritz and Franz Wagner both remain with the team, Franz on an extension and Moe re-signing as a free agent. Jonathan Isaac also prolonged his stay in Orlando after renegotiating his contract. Isaac has become one of Orlando’s most reliable role players since they drafted him in 2018.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signed this off-season with the Magic after a couple of years and a championship with Denver. KCP is projected to be a vital piece in Orlando as a gap filler and three-point shooter. Adding the two-time NBA champion has been touted by NBA execs as one of the league’s best free-agent signings. The Nuggets were reportedly disappointed they failed to retain him.
Is Winning the East Realistic?
The Magic are an exciting team to watch and fun to cheer for at that. They play fast and loose, and Banchero is already an exceptional player. But it is hard to agree with him that the Magic are in play to win the East—not at this point in time, anyway. The East is crowded with the likes of Boston, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Miami, Indiana, New York, and Cleveland (whom the Magic lost to in the playoffs last season). All of these teams will be vying for top five seeding. As good as the Magic have improved, and look to be even better in the future, it’s hard to put them in the same category as some of their top Eastern Conference contemporaries. However, their current improvement is something to be proud of and support.
That narrative may change in the coming few years. In the meantime, watch and appreciate the talent and skill of Orlando’s young team. No doubt, they will be in the playoff mix next April.
