Last season, the Orlando Magic finished eleventh in the Eastern Conference, missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year. While their 35-47 record was an improvement over the 2014-15 campaign, expectations were a bit higher. With new head coach Scott Skiles, and number five pick Mario Hezonja hoping on board joining the young trio of Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris, and Nikola Vucevic, the Magic looked like a team that could be playoff bound, but they weren’t. Hezonja never got the minutes to prove himself, and at the trade deadline they traded Tobias Harris, who they gave a four year deal to last offseason, to the Detroit Pistons for Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova. Last season was another disappointing season for the Magic, but with a new face running the team, the Magic may be heading for better times.
Orlando Magic Are Playoff Contenders
New Identity
In an unexpected move, head coach Scott Skiles stepped down from his position as head coach. Skiles had previously signed a multiyear deal to coach the Magic, but his brief tenure was disappointing, and his departure was for the best of both parties. The Magic replaced Skiles with arguably the best coach on the open market in Frank Vogel. Vogel, the former Pacers head coach, took the Indiana Pacers to the playoffs in five out of six seasons, including two appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals. Vogel is also known for being a defensive minded coach, a facet of basketball the Magic seem to have been deprived of in recent years. Vogel and the new look Magic will be a team to be reckoned with defensively, especially with some new faces.
A Serge of Defense
On draft night, the Magic made a stunning trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder for forward Serge Ibaka. They traded Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova, and rookie Domantas Sabonis to the Thunder for Ibaka. Ibaka, is known for being a defensive anchor and one of the league’s most intimidating defenders, but he has declined a bit in recent years. He doesn’t play inside anymore scrambling for offensive boards, he stands out on the permitter and puts up threes; however, Ibaka has a lot to prove this year. Next summer, Ibaka will be a free agent, and lots of teams will be vying for his services; however, if he shows this year that he is just a three point shooter offensively, he may not get that max contract he desires. Expect Ibaka to be the defensive presence he has always been, but also expect him to be more versatile offensively. Ibaka, along with a couple free agent signings, will prove to be a formidable frontline.
Free Agency
In free agency, the Magic got busy. They signed Clippers forward Jeff Green, to a 1 year/ 15 million dollar deal. Green is an aggressive offensive player; he can shoot from the outside, and can score off the dribble, but he is also known for his defensive ability, something the Magic valued this offseason. In addition to Green, the Magic signed Raptors center Bismack Biyombo to a 4 year/ 72 million dollar deal. Biymobo, a defensive presence, really broke out last year in the playoffs proving that he’s a force to be reckoned with. He goes for every single rebound, and is a shot blocking presence; he even racked in 26 rebounds in game four against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs. Biyombo’s arrival seems to signal the end of Nikola Vucevic’s time in Orlando. Vucevic, arguably a top ten center, is a post up big that can also stretch the floor. While his likely departure seems odd, the Magic could get a nice package back for him, and one team pops right off the bat, the Phoenix Suns. The Suns currently have two point guards signed to long term deals in Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe. Knight is the better shooter, and Bledsoe is the more aggressive guard. Knight would seem to make the most sense, but the Suns will likely opt to keep him over Bledsoe to pair with their young shooting guard Devin Booker. If the Magic can land Bledsoe from the Suns, they will be looking at a very balanced roster, and a point guard that will fit very nicely in with their young shooting guard whom they resigned.
Rounding Out the Roster
The Magic re-signed shooting guard Evan Fournier to a 5 year/ 85 million dollar deal. Last season, Fournier proved that he was capable of carrying the load offensively, and he also improved his defensive game. An aspect that is becoming a theme with this Magic team. The Magic also signed point guard D.J. Augustin to a four year deal to be a scoring punch off the bench.
The Magic have transformed themselves into a defensive minded team. With head coach Frank Vogel, Serge Ibaka, Jeff Green, Bismasck Biyombo, and Evan Fournier, the Magic are a completely different team. This Magic team is a playoff contender, and presents a formidable defensive group.
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