Orlando Magic’s Aspirations for the 2024-2025 Season
Orlando, FL — Young teams continuously find ways to climb the standings and take the league by storm. Two seasons ago, the Memphis Grizzlies lamented themselves as one of the grittiest and most tenacious teams in the association. Then you flashback to last season and it was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder who finished as the number one seed in the Western Conference.
Now heading into the 2024-25 season the Orlando Magic are one of the young teams vying to assert themselves as one of the top contenders in the NBA. After an impressive 2023-24 campaign where we saw the Orlando Magic improve 13 games in the win column, Paolo Banchero made his first All-Star appearance, and the Magic finished as a top-five seed in the Eastern Conference, this team is poised to take another leap this upcoming season.
Previous Season Review
Orlando concluded last year with a record of 47-35, they made some noise in the first round of the playoffs, but the consensus surrounding the Magic is relatively tempered. According to Bleacher Report and BetMGM, the Magic’s win total is projected at over/under 47.5. Despite the Magic making multiple additions to their roster and getting better this offseason, the other top teams in the Eastern Conference also got better.
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.
Key Retentions and Additions
Orlando re-signed key role players for depth like Goga Bitadze, Mo Wagner, and Gary Harris. The Magic made sure to extend cornerstone pieces Jonathan Isaac and Franz Wagner. 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.
Impact of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
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.
Previous Season’s Magic Basketball Performance
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.
Defensive Backcourt Dynamics
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:
KCP on him & Suggs being the best defensive backcourt:
“I'm gonna go on and say it right now, we might be making it again together next year, so I do pride myself on that end. I think we were gonna be one of the best, backcourt defensive teams in the league.” pic.twitter.com/L72VxBa940
— Brett James (@thebrettjames1) July 6, 2024
“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 to have 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.
Paolo Banchero’s Rising Star
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 this Magic team 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).
Franz Wagner’s Development
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 this Magic team 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. This Orlando Magic team 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.
Jonathan Isaac’s Defensive Impact
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 defensive 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.
Tristan da Silva’s Potential
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 Future of Anthony Black and Jett Howard
This Magic team still has 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 team. 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.”
Anthony Black on his growth this summer:
“Just getting back to playing off of two feet, like I did a lot really my whole life. Just finding my way to the paint, and using my size and physicality once I get there.” pic.twitter.com/zLeFr2xR4A
— Brett James (@thebrettjames1) July 8, 2024
On the flip side, Jett Howard appeared in just 18 games and averaged just under four minutes a game for the Magic last season. Howard was able to gain a ton of experience spending the majority of his time with the Osceola Magic developing his skill set and getting adjusted to the NBA game.
Howard, who was drafted to help space the floor and become a three-point marksman, will be aiming to do just that in his second year in the league. Jett who appeared in three games in the NBA Summer League showed out as he averaged 19.0 points, 3.3 assists, and shot a blistering 47.6% from deep.
This Magic Team’s Path Forward
With some playoff experience under this team’s belt, Orlando will now be judged based on how they execute down the stretch of tight games, and how they shoot the three-ball in the postseason.
The Magic have two of the most talented young wings in the game, one of the most respected up-incoming Head Coaches in Jamahl Mosley, and one of the deepest benches in the Eastern Conference. This team is more than capable of potentially upsetting some of the top contenders in the East, and now it’s time for the Magic to go show everyone that they’re ready to shock the world.
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