2022 Offseason Snapshot: Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic have hope once more after years of stagnating. Securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Orlando now has the opportunity to change its franchise overnight with a generational college prospect. Whether it be Jabari Smith Jr. (Auburn), Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga) or Paolo Banchero (Duke), the Magic are locked into immediate improvement in the short- and long-term.

During the 2020-21 season, Orlando finally embraced a full-scale rebuild, trading away Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon for top-tier value. Now, the Magic’s outlook looks much different than consistent first-round exits with no young talent coming in due to consistent misses. Making it through a 22-win campaign, Orlando has an enticing core with the right voices in place to help accentuate their strengths.

Chet Holmgren potentially linking up with his old Minnesota high school teammate Jalen Suggs in Orlando?

Or do the Magic roll with Jabari Smith, Jr. with that #1 overall pick?

The pressure is real for that franchise on June 23rd…

— Camron Smith (@camronsmith) May 18, 2022

Orlando has been yearning to somehow recapture the glory days long gone with Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard. Could the next golden era of Magic basketball soon be on the horizon after securing No. 1 overall? Let’s go ahead and look into what should be an interesting offseason ahead for Orlando.

Other Offseason Snapshots: DET I HOU I OKC I SAC

2021-22 record: 22-60, missed playoffs

Players under contract: Wendell Carter Jr., Jonathan Isaac, Markelle Fultz, Terrence Ross, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Cole Anthony, Chuma Okeke, R.J. Hampton, Moritz Wagner

Impending free agents: Mo Bamba (restricted), Gary Harris, Bol Bol (restricted), Robin Lopez, Michael Carter-Williams

Draft picks: No. 1, No. 32, No. 35

One thing the Magic should do this offseason: Trade Terrence Ross

Ross has been in trade rumors for multiple years now, simply because he doesn’t fit the current timeline. Offering immediate scoring help to any contender out there, it would be in the Magic’s best interest to ship out Ross on an expiring contract. They won’t be able to get much value, maybe a late first or early second-round pick tops, but at this point Ross’ minutes should be given away exclusively to under-25 talent all through the Magic’s rotation.

One thing the Magic should not do this offseason: Try to speed up rebuild

With three picks in the top 35, Orlando’s moment to change their trajectory is on deck. If all goes well in the draft, Orlando will add their new No. 1 player alongside two hopeful rotation pieces at Nos. 32 and 35. Smith or Banchero would add a much-needed scoring element for the Magic atop the draft, but Holmgren fits their mold perfectly (coveting athleticism and length, physical traits).

Orlando’s rebuild is just beginning, and their new timeline should indicate 2024 or 2025 being the main target year to become a consistent competitor once more. If the Magic hit on their draft, that date could quickly be pushed up. With so much young talent on the roster, it’s only a matter of time before it all comes together.

Offseason Breakdown

Small market teams more often than not have to rely on the draft to keep their hopes afloat for the next several years. Orlando is no different, especially now owning the No. 1 pick in a strong draft class. The roster is already built well, and now the final pieces to the puzzle could soon be on the way in a few weeks.

The arrow can only go up for Orlando, especially with how awful last season was at points for them. However, those growing pains happen for every team that eventually takes the jump. If players such as Wagner, Suggs and Carter take developmental jumps alongside the arrival of whoever is picked at No. 1, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Orlando competing for a play-in spot.

Rebuilds can be a tedious process, but the end results can be a beautiful thing to watch unfold. 

Not long ago, the Phoenix Suns were NBA laughingstocks. Now, after a few key hits via the draft on top of acquiring Chris Paul, Phoenix’s window is nowhere close to being closed. The chips are still being put into place, but Orlando’s immense amounts of youth has the upside of becoming much more in a Suns-like pattern.