Can Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner lead the Magic on a deep playoff run in the East after back-to-back first-round exits? (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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2024-25 Record: 41-41 (7th in East, lost in First Round)
From 2020-21 through 2023-24, the Magic increased their win total for four straight seasons (21, 22, 34 and 47). That trend ended last season as Orlando’s promising start was derailed by a series of injuries to young stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner and key role players like Jalen Suggs and Moe Wagner.
Despite the injuries, the Magic earned the 7th seed in the East via the Play-In behind their second-ranked defense. With their young core ready to start a new season healthy, along with two key additions this summer, the Magic look to resume their ascent toward the top of the Eastern Conference.
Offseason
- Re-signing: Paolo Banchero (extension), Moe Wagner
- Additions: Desmond Bane (trade), Tyus Jones (free agent)
- Draft: Jase Richardson (25th pick), Noah Penda (32nd pick, acquired via trade)
- Departures: Cole Anthony (trade), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (trade), Gary Harris (free agent), Caleb Houstan (free agent)
- Unsigned Free Agents: Cory Joseph
Orlando didn’t wait until free agency tipped off in July to make its biggest move of the offseason. In late June – just two days after the draft – the Magic swung a trade with Memphis to acquire Desmond Bane in exchange for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and future draft picks.
The addition of Bane – a career 41% 3-point shooter – gives the Magic a much-needed boost in perimeter shooting after Orlando finished last in 3-pointers made (11.2) and 3-point percentage (31.8%) last season.
While Orlando’s defense ranked second a season ago, their offense ranked 27th. In addition to adding a scorer in Bane, the Magic also signed free agent point guard Tyus Jones, a proven playmaker who finished second in assist-to-turnover ratio last season. If Orlando can boost its offense while maintaining its lockdown defense, it can be a formidable foe in the East.
Magic forward Paolo Banchero and his mom, Rhonda Smith-Banchero, discuss how she helped pave his path to the NBA.
X-factor
Jalen Suggs. In addition to the young star duo of Banchero and Wagner, and the new additions of Bane and Jones, a key player in deciding Orlando’s ceiling this season is Suggs, who was having a breakout year – setting new career-highs in points, rebounds, steals and blocks – before his 2024-25 campaign was cut short due to season-ending knee surgery in March.
Throughout his four-year career, Suggs has brought instant energy whenever he’s on the court. He is a tenacious on-ball defender with the ability to guard multiple positions. A crowd favorite who makes all the hustle plays that endear him to the fans and his teammates alike. Suggs earned All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2023-24 and will look to return to that form in 2025-26.
> Watch Jalen Suggs on NBA League Pass
One key question
What is the ceiling for this Magic team assuming good health? After injuries derailed their progression last season, 2025-26 could be the season that the Magic join the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. With their young core healthy and still rising toward their collective prime, along with Orlando’s key offseason additions, the Magic are poised to make a leap. The only question is how big can that leap be – particularly with the East as wide open as ever.
Banchero (25.9) and Franz Wanger (24.2) are both coming off career-best years – and are one of only three returning healthy duos to each average 24+ points per game, joining L.A.’s Luka Dončić and LeBron James and New York’s Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. How quickly the Magic can incorporate Bane and Jones in order to lift Orlando’s offense while maintaining their elite defense will be key to answering just how high the Magic can rise.
Fantasy Outlook from RotoWire
The team at RotoWire broke down the top fantasy options for each team in the East. Here’s how they broke down some of the best options from the Magic:
“Orlando showed a lot of promise last season finishing 7th in the East at an even 41-41. The backcourt has seen a significant makeover, one that certainly has the potential to result in incremental improvement and keep Orlando in the running for another division title. Desmond Bane‘s addition via trade – a transaction that saw Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope head to Memphis – gives the Magic that key third front-line piece to complement Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Additionally, a healthy Jalen Suggs, who was putting together a career-best season in the 2024-25 campaign before being shut down in March due to a knee injury, would certainly make Orlando’s first unit even more potent. Tyus Jones‘ presence represents valuable veteran insurance.”
Key dates
- Preseason Opener: Oct. 4 at Heat (8 ET, League Pass)
- Regular Season/Home Opener: Oct. 22 vs. Heat (7 ET, League Pass)
- Emirates NBA Cup East Group B Play: Nov. 7 vs. Celtics (7 ET, League Pass), Nov. 14 vs. Nets (7 ET, League Pass), Nov. 25 at 76ers (8 ET, NBC & Peacock), Nov. 28 at Pistons (7:30 ET, League Pass)
- NBA Global Games (Berlin): Jan. 15 vs. Grizzlies (2 ET, Prime)
- NBA Global Games (London): Jan. 18 vs. Grizzlies (12 ET, Prime)
What they’re saying
David Aldridge, The Athletic: “Yes, four unencumbered firsts and a pick swap for Bane is a lot, even if Orlando’s expectation is that those picks will all be late firsts if everything goes right and it becomes a top-four East team. But it’s worth the opportunity cost. With the second apron looming, the Magic has to win now. Bane should be a hand-in-glove fit for an offense that desperately needs his career 41 percent 3-point shooting. Richardson’s shooting, too, should give Banchero and Franz Wagner more room to operate. Orlando has coveted Jones and his no-turnover skills for a couple of years; he’s a great veteran insurance policy if Suggs goes down again.” (Read More)
