Eastern Conference Overview:
The Philadelphia 76ers had their biggest splash in Free Agency with the signing of Paul George luring him away from the Los Angeles Clippers. But Daryl Morrey and the Sixers didn’t stop there as they re-signed Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Obure, Kyle Lowry, etc. They continued to add talent via Free Agency and the trade market with key guys on the wing like Caleb Martin and Buddy Hield.
The New York Knicks of course made a huge trade acquiring Mikal Bridges and extending both OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson.
While the reigning and defending NBA Champions in the Boston Celtics somehow continued to re-sign all their players, keep the core roster intact, and then some.
This is all without mentioning other very talented teams in the East that will be competing with the Magic like the Bucks, Pacers, Cavs, Heat, etc.
Orlando’s Offseason Moves:
Jeff Weltman and Anthony Parker did a phenomenal job this offseason by retaining and adding talent to this Magic roster that can bolster the team’s three-point shooting deficiencies and still impact the team’s identity on the defensive side of the ball.
Orlando re-signed key role players for depth like Goga Bitadze, Mo Wagner, and Gary Harris. The Magic made sure to extend two cornerstone pieces in both Franz Wagner and Jonathan Issac. The front office continued to add to the roster via the draft by selecting Tristan da Silva, and then in free agency bringing in both Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Corey Joseph.
KCP headlines a terrific offseason by the Magic and this is a move that not only shows the Magic fans, but the NBA world that they’re trying to compete with the best of the best. KCP was an integral part of the success of two championship runs one with the Lakers in 2020, and the other with the Nuggets in 2023.
Known as one of the better 3-and-D players in the game, KCP will not only help open up the floor for the Magic with his outside shooting, but he will also be a lockdown defender on the wing.
The Magic in 2023-24 ranked 22nd in offensive efficiency, 24th in 3-point shooting, and they were tied for 30th in threes made per game. In the playoffs, the Magic were 4th worst in threes made per game, and 3rd worst in 3PT%.
In his two seasons in Denver, Caldwell-Pope eclipsed 40% from behind the arch while also playing in 76 games both years. As a defender, Caldwell-Pope allowed a league-best 40.6% field goal percentage as the closest defender last season, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
A defensive backcourt that features KCP who is an incredible wing defender, as well as Jalen Suggs who was just selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team this past season, will make this one of the best defensive backcourts in the NBA.
Caldwell-Pope was asked at his introductory press conference if he believes that both he and Jalen Suggs are the best defensive backcourt in the game and here’s how he responded:
“Imma go on and say it right now. We might be making it [All NBA Defensive Team] together next year. I do pride myself on that end—And being alongside him I think we’re gonna be one of the best backcourt defensive teams in the league.”
KCP’s veteran leadership, championship pedigree, ability to stretch the floor, and propensity to play defense at an exceptionally high level made him a valuable commodity to target this offseason for the Magic.
Orlando’s Two Stars:
If the Magic want any shot at competing and potentially making a deep postseason run this season, they will need both of their young stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner to continue to play at a high level and elevate their games.
Banchero since being drafted number one overall back in the 2022 NBA Draft, has done nothing but show to the NBA world that he is one of the brightest young stars in the game today.
After nearly winning a unanimous Rookie of the Year award in 2023, he followed that up with an incredible sophomore campaign. In year two Banchero put together career highs across the board, was selected to his first All-Star game, and helped lead the Magic to their first postseason berth since the 2019-20 season.
Paolo was nothing short of sensational in his first playoff series as he became the 2nd-youngest player (21 years-165 days) in NBA History to begin his playoff career with three straight 20+ point games. Banchero continued to add to the record books by becoming one of the youngest players in NBA postseason history to record multiple 30+ point games. A list that features Anthony Edwards (20y-267d), LeBron James (21y-113d), and Paolo Banchero (21y-170d).
On the flip side, Franz Wagner has been one of the better young, versatile wings in the game of basketball and was no slouch this past season. Franz put together career highs in points (19.7), rebounds (5.3), and assists (3.7). Despite Franz shooting a career-low from behind the arch (28.1%) he was head-and-shoulders one of the most important and impactful players for the Magic last season.
Franz was rewarded this offseason with a five-year, $224 million rookie maximum contract extension that can be eligible up to nearly $270 million if he becomes supermax eligible.
Since coming into the league back in 2021, Franz has continued to over-achieve and exceed expectations. Despite being a lottery pick Franz was not expected to become the player he is today, and he has helped change the entire trajectory of this franchise as a cornerstone piece.
Franz Wagner was on “The Bench Seat” podcast with George Niang and he addressed how he fell into the perfect situation in Orlando:
“I think I got drafted to the right team and the right situation. Coming into the NBA I didn’t expect to start, or play pick-and-roll, but I expected to play a lot because I was a lottery pick on a not-so-great team—But they gave me so many opportunities and chances to try stuff, and that gave me so much confidence. So after that rookie year, I would say I felt like I was in the right spot.”
Defense Wins Championships:
If history has told us anything, it’s that you need elite wings in order to compete in today’s modern NBA, which the Magic have two phenomenal young wings. And you need to have a defensive identity because defense wins championships.
Orlando not only has an incredible defensive backcourt in both Jalen Suggs and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but they have one of the most impactful and versatile defenders in the game with Jonathan Issac.
Widely viewed and acknowledged as one of the best defenders in the game, Issac played an integral role in the success and defensive identity of this Magic team. Last season Jonathan Issac finished only behind now four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert in individual defensive rating (104.5) with at least 58 games played.
Issac’s impact goes far beyond what any box score can show you from his ability to switch one through five, his weak side blocks, and the ability to deter players from coming inside the paint. Jonathan Issac truly is a Swiss army knife defensively and can take away an opposing team’s best player night in and night out.
Orlando still has a multitude of other capable defenders on the wing and interior with players like Anthony Black, Goga Bitadze, Franz Wagner, etc. What makes the Magic’s defense so stout is that it’s a total team effort night in and night out.
Depth and Role Players:
As mentioned earlier the Magic’s front office did a great job this offseason both retaining and accumulating talent to bolster the roster.
The Magic selected Tristan da Silva from the University of Colorado who has an opportunity even as a rookie to get minutes on day one off the bench. Da Silva at 23 years of age has a ton of experience playing four years of collegiate basketball, helping lead the Buffaloes to the big dance in March Madness, as it led to him receiving Second Team All-Pac 12 honors this past season.
In 2023-24 for the Buffaloes da Silva put together a career-high season across the board in points (16.0), rebounds (5.1), and assists (2.4). Da Silva shot 49.3% from the floor on 11.8 attempts per game, and 39.5% from behind the arch.
Da Silva who stands about 6-foot-9 with nearly a 7-foot wingspan, fits the mold and character that Jeff Weltman and Jamahl Molsey want on their team. Weltman was asked about what Tristan da Silva brings to this team in terms of his character and traits and he stated:
“To check all four of those boxes with the 18th pick is a good day’s work for us. Tristan is a very unique player, he’s exceptionally skilled, and he’s one of the highest IQ players I think in this draft—You guys know, we bring in people and players. He’s just a high-character kid, who’s about the right stuff, he’s serious, he’s committed—This is one of the most selfless players you’ll ever find, and I think that’s who he’s gonna be for our team and off the court.”
The Magic still have plenty of ascending young talent that has an opportunity to take a big leap this season. Both of the Magic’s lottery picks last season Anthony Black and Jett Howard are expected to play a larger role this year, and have more of an opportunity to showcase their talents.
After showing signs as a very capable 3-and-D guard in his rookie season, Anthony Black has a chance to emerge as a rising star on this Magic roster. Black’s ability to be a lockdown defender, spot-up three-point shooter, and overall team player made him extremely valuable to the success of the Magic when given the opportunity.
“Some more aggression, getting to the paint making plays, and then on the other side taking pride on defense,” Anthony Black on what he wants to showcase in his second year in the league. “Finding my way to the paint, using my size and physicality once I get there, and from there just making plays in the paint.”
