The Orlando Magic were one of the pleasant surprises in the NBA during the 2023-24 season. Expectations were modest for the franchise after they finished the 2022-23 season 29-28 after a brutal 5-20 start.
That positive momentum was carried into the following campaign. The Orlando Magic went 47-35, improving their win total by 13 games.
They also avoided the NBA Play-In Tournament, earning the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. In the first round of the playoffs, they matched up with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Orlando was unable to advance, losing in seven games. The outcome was disappointing, but shouldn’t put a damper on everything else they were able to accomplish.
The 2024 NBA offseason provided the Magic a chance to build on the positive momentum that has been built. They are in a unique position, as there isn’t any pressure to make a splash right away.
Staying the course is best for the franchise. They have two young stars in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Jalen Suggs taking that next step in his development or Jonathan Isaac remaining healthy can move them forward even more.
Anthony Black, Jett Howard and Tristan de Silva are three more youngsters with high upside. Continuing their development would also help the Orlando Magic reach that next tier.
That promise, combined with the signing of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, has Zach Lowe of ESPN calling the team one of the winners of the 2024 NBA offseason. His skill set as a 3-and-D player is exactly what they needed more of.
“…Caldwell-Pope’s in-motion shooting amplifies everything Banchero and Wagner do without taking any of the offense from their hands. He and Suggs form a dynamite defensive backcourt.
The Magic still have financial flexibility, tradable salaries everywhere and all their draft picks — plus some extras. The sleeping giant is starting to wake up,” Lowe wrote.
Caldwell-Pope brings championship experience to the team from his time with the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers. The top of the Eastern Conference has improved.
The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers both made huge acquisitions, and the Boston Celtics are the defending champions. A chance to slide right behind them exists for the Orlando Magic if their young players continue taking steps forward.
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