What Magic Need in NBA Offseason
All it took seemingly was one player to turn the Orlando Magic from one of the worst teams in the NBA to having legit NBA playoff odds late in the season. Paolo Banchero would come in and show why he was selected first overall, winning Rookie of the Year and improving the team.
While the Magic were not close to the Play-In by the end of the season, finishing with the third worst record, 34-48, they had been playing well. Orlando had become a sneaky team for NBA picks, being very competitive.
The roster has a lot of talent, between Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. in the front court with Banchero. On top of that, the Magic have a bunch of guards with different roles. This moderate success does make possible NBA predictions exciting while also tricky, trying to figure out the team’s next best steps.
A lot could be riding on the draft lottery on May 16, with the Magic possibly one player away from being very good. If Orlando happens to win, despite having the sixth-best team odds, that could change everything. Still, even if they don’t, this offseason could drastically affect how the Magic are seen in the eyes of sportsbook for 2023-24.
2022-23 Season Record: 34-48
Status of Coach: Jamahl Mosley. His job is safe.
Positions Of Need
- Shooting
- Floor Spacing
- Star Power
- Starting Guard
Possible Free Agency Plan
The starting frontcourt of Banchero, Wagner, and Carter seems to be carved in stone. The only possible issue could be Carter’s injury history. He only played 57 games last season, so having a legit backup in case he is injured, or anyone else is, could be crucial. However, the Magic may still be a season away from building depth through free agency.
On the other hand, Orlando has a favorable cap situation and could make a big splash in free agency. NBA news had the Magic linked to Fred VanVleet around the trade deadline to acquire him, so they could easily sign him in the summer.
VanVleet would be a perfect fit. Orlando has a lot of good guards, but none of them are floor spacers. VanVleet would bring elite shooting while keeping the same playmaking level. If the Magic can pull this off, it would be a massive boost, changing their NBA odds.
Floor spacing is something the Magic desperately needed during the season, mainly because most of the key players are all in the frontcourt. Gary Trent Jr. or Seth Curry are other players that could fit into the roster. While they do not fill other needs, shooting is crucial if the Magic want to improve.
First-Round Lottery Odds
- Odds for First Overall Pick – 9.0%
- Odds for Top Four Pick – 37.2%
- Chicago Bulls First Round Pick (Top Four Protected) – 1.8%, 8.5%
Possible Draft Plan
If the Magic somehow won the draft lottery, it could change everything. Victor Wembanyama is the consensus No.1 pick and could be exactly what the Magic are looking for. His length and height, standing at over 7-foot-2, would be another addition of size to an Orlando roster that already has a lot of it. Wembanyama’s shooting and spacing would make him fit in the front court, not to mention the star power he would bring, with many analysts believing he is one of the best prospects in a long time.
Moving that far up the draft does not seem likely, leaving the Magic with questions about what to do instead. The next two top players, Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson, probably won’t be available when the Magic select and don’t fit perfectly into the team. Miller could offer some shooting, but finding minutes in a crowded forward group could be challenging. Henderson would be the best guard on the roster, but he also has the same weakness, shooting.
Orlando could still be in its rebuilding phase, which only started two seasons ago. That would mean taking the best available player, no matter the fit. However, a name that bettors should keep in mind is Gradey Dick. He is arguably one of the best shooters in the draft, and selecting him in the top five picks might be a reach. But if the Magic stay in the six to nine range, which seems likely, he would be a perfect fit.
