If we were to use football analogies, the Orlando Magic in recent seasons have been the epitome of a mid-table team. The team can’t be considered hopeless, and in individual games or even in a few matches, they can look quite decent, but they lack consistency in their results.
The Magic are currently on the path towards the playoffs, and the main question is whether they are ready to start a real fight. If you plan to place bets on NBA games this season, it would be very useful to familiarize yourself with the resource https://mostbet-az-apk.club/, which provides a detailed review of one of the country’s most popular bookmakers.
Key Facts
Last season’s results: 13th place, 34-48 record.
Roster:
Arrivals – Jalen Suggs (6th pick), Franz Wagner, Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac, Chuma Okeke, Wendell Carter Jr., Moritz Wagner, Goga Bitadze.
Returnees – Cole Anthony, RJ Hampton, Mo Bamba.
What to Expect from the Team
The team is on the verge of starting a serious fight for high positions and a playoff spot.
The frontcourt situation is more or less clear, with two franchise forwards, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, around whom the Magic will build.
However, the backcourt situation will need to be sorted out. With players like Gary Harris, RJ Hampton, Cole Anthony, and Markelle Fultz, the Magic have added Jalen Suggs and Rokas Jokubaitis to the mix. In essence, the Magic now have six players for two guard positions, with five of them being young and promising.
Markelle Fultz was seen as the starting point guard, which makes sense considering the three-year contract he was offered before this season. As for Harris, whose contract with the Magic expires next summer, he will likely be let go or possibly traded.
In addition, Cole Anthony and RJ Hampton are currently in a somewhat precarious position. Cole Anthony already has an available contract extension, and RJ Hampton, who will become a restricted free agent next summer, has yet to have his option picked up. It currently seems that the Magic will part ways with one of these two guards, if not both.
This is all happening in the context of the Magic selecting two more guards in the previous Draft. Jalen Suggs, especially, who was picked at #6, has made a strong impression. He’s a big playmaker who excels defensively. Suggs’ selection in the Draft calls into question the future of Markelle Fultz with the organization. While they have similar styles, Suggs is a bit bigger and potentially healthier.
A cautious conclusion can be made that the Magic will spend the next season searching for the optimal backcourt of the future, selecting the right players from their young talent pool. As for those who don’t make the cut in Orlando, they may be headed for trades to strengthen the roster, so that starting from the 2024/25 season, the Florida-based club can seriously compete for high positions.
Season Joker: Franz Wagner
Despite Paolo Banchero ranking 30th in ESPN’s annual player ratings, and Franz Wagner at 52, it seems that the German forward is currently the better player. In the upcoming season, he may take a significant leap. Wagner possesses the skills and abilities to be a quality player not only on defense, working on the boards, blocking or stealing the ball but also in offense. He has a well-set shot, good ball-handling, and excellent court vision. He can do practically everything on the court!
Prediction: 12th place in the Eastern Conference.
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