The NBA playoffs only take place for a choice number of teams each year. For the rest, so
begins the off-season. The fans of such teams are left sitting sadly on the couches of friends who root for the playoff teams, waiting for months for the often-false hope that next season may offer.
In this series, the future of each team will be explored— giving those fans something to look forward to for the most part.
First up, the Orlando Magic.
I am happy and confident to state for you magic fans out there what I believe to be the truth: things are looking up. Though the team missed the play-in tournament, the Magic finished out with a record of 34-48, a full 12 more wins than in the previous season. Despite the forward March towards a winning culture, not too much was compromised— the Magic possess the 6th best odds in the upcoming draft lottery, looking to add to their already fantastic young core
Rookie Paolo Banchero Making Some Noise…
Speaking of that young core, let’s give it a rundown. Starting, of course, with the likely rookie of the year Paolo Banchero. Paolo finished his rookie season averaging an exact 20 PPG as well as nearly 7 rebounds and 4 assists. He has the foul-drawing talent of a player much more experienced, shooting an average of more than 7 a game, and all of this while drawing the entirety of any given defense’s attention, playing the role as the sole creator of offense for the team. He finishes well around the rim and has excellent footwork at all 3 levels of the floor.
While his defense is not at the level of an Evan Mobley, the physical tools are all too obvious. That potential combined with his advanced awareness of the game means that it should only be a matter of time before his defense solidifies.
…Franz Wagner… sheesh.
Paolo is joined on the wing by the German Franz Wagner, who more than balanced out any limitations of Banchero’s play. Wagner sees the play before it harms and can put the ball in the right spot and is a deadly shooter from the corner. With a wingspan of nearly 7 feet, his quickness and defensive IQ has allowed him to play good defense on dangerous scorers, even stars like Kevin Durant. His excellent defensive play is joined by Markelle Fultz, who only those without experience watching the Magic would call a true bust.
Back on the Fultz Hype Train?
Despite Fultz’s still inconsistent 3-point shooting, the rest of the game is there. Though Fultz has fallen off the map for many NBA fans since his somewhat shameful parting from the 76ers. No matter what the 76ers saw that made them send him away, it seems to be all in the past now. From the tip, opposing guards are hounded by pesky and athletic defense that quickly turns into lightning-fast playmaking and exciting dunks. Averaging nearly 15 PPG on more than 50% from the field, Fultz is no weak link. In fact, more than nearly anyone else on the team, he plays like a ten-year veteran— absolute authority, absolute control.
While these three are perhaps Orlando’s most immediate attractions, the entire cast is both young and productive. Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs, as well as other names you may remember from college basketball, have all the hints of future greatness you tend to look for in a green new NBA player. Each has shown the ability to take over the game— Anthony already has a reputation for a clutch gene, and Suggs has shown a truly zealous drive for causing turnovers for the opposing team.
While there are still surely some question marks, such as the place a seemingly consistently injured Jonathan Isaac has on a team that retains less and less of its old core, or whether the current coaching staff will be prepared for a future playoff run. Even so, these question marks should be easily handled by a thus far competent front office, especially thanks to all the tools at their disposal.
Future is Bright.
For a team that barely missed the play-in tournament and still has some high draft picks to look forward to in the off-season (Orlando quietly has the sixth-best odds for the number one pick), the next season’s potential seems all but assured.
