Orlando’s magic has been reloaded and could make a big leap in the East this season.
The magic exploded into the scene in the 2023-2024 season, earning its first playoff berth since the bubble was shortened.
They were expected to make an even bigger jump in 2024-25, but the team stumbled and fell to the No. 7 seed. He was then eliminated in the first round of the Boston Celtics playoffs in five games.
Magic enters this season with a great opportunity to bounce back. Magic could possibly appear as the top three seed, as teams like the Celtics, Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks are expected to take a step back.
Franz Wagner was able to have his best season with magic.
He entered his fifth year and he’s got better than he was in the league every season. He averaged 24.2 points in four seasons from 15.2 points.
He missed for a while last year with torn diagonals, but the 24-year-old still posted nice numbers and lifted his magic with all his injuries.
Wagner’s three-point shooting was the only part of his game and appears to have regressed. After earning over 36% in the 2022-2023 season, he shot under 30% from downtown in the next two seasons.
If Wagner can improve his three-point shooting, he could become an All-Star for the first time this year.
Paolo Bancello has the potential to be a superstar.
He was an incredible talent and helped transform one of the worst teams in the league into a potential contender.
Hopes are moving forward as Magic signed Banchelo to the biggest rookie contract extension this summer, potentially reaching up to $287 million.
Last season, he averaged a career-high 25.9 points and 7.5 rebounds along with 4.8 assists. However, he was only suitable for 46 games as he suffered an oblique injury early in the season.
After the All-Star break, Banchero averaged 29.0 points per game shooting 47.3% from the field and 3-33.3%.
He averages more than 20.0 points per game in his first three seasons in the league, poised to spend another big year.
If Banchero remains healthy, he seems like a rock to make an All-Star team again.
Magic has a new weapon at Arsenal this season.
The team went in everything and traded Kentavius’ Caldwell Pope, Cole Anthony and four first-round draft picks for Desmond Bain’s Grizzlies.
The price was steep, but I believe that Magic is an important piece for Bane to reach that next level.
Bane will quickly help boost the magical poor three-point firing. The Magic were the worst three-point shooting team last season, accounting for just 31.8% of the shots over the arc. Meanwhile, Bane is a 41% 3-point shooter career.
He is also a solid passerby, ball handler and defender who is set to create a scary defensive tandem with Jalen Suggs on the Orlando backcourt.
Bane is very likely the reason for magic to take the East in a storm this season.