Orlando Magic Bold Predictions For 2024-25 Season

The Orlando Magic were one of the surprise stories of the 2023-24 NBA season. After spending the previous few years near the top of the lottery, they made a sudden jump into the playoffs. A year after drafting Paolo Banchero with the first overall pick, the Magic secured the fifth seed entering the postseason. Following a grueling seven-game series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, optimism was sky-high in Florida.

One of the best defenses in the league, anchored by the offensive punch of Franz Wagner and Banchero, made the Magic a nightmare for opponents. While their shooting left much to be desired, it didn’t stop them from having a wildly successful season. However, that was just Year 1 of their journey to becoming legitimate contenders. Even though their success was surprising, it has set new expectations for Orlando. The front office has taken notice, adding veteran pieces to complement their young roster.

What can the Magic expect heading into the 2024-25 season after becoming one of the NBA’s best success stories?

More Trades to Add Shooting

The Magic’s biggest Achilles heel last season was consistent shooting, a highly sought-after commodity in the NBA. Despite having some talented scorers, they struggled from long range.

As a result, their offense became one-dimensional, losing the “Maths game” to opponents who capitalized on 3-point shooting. Recognizing this, the Magic made it a priority to add more shooting.

Enter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, one of the best 3-and-D players in the league and a two-time NBA champion in the past five years. Caldwell-Pope brings valuable experience and veteran leadership to an otherwise young team.

More importantly, he provides much-needed perimeter shooting without compromising the team’s defensive identity, thanks to his toughness and defensive tenacity.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Orlando Magic Updates

While Caldwell-Pope is a great fit for Orlando, they will need more shooting to become a truly formidable offense, especially in today’s NBA. Expect the Magic to make additional trades to further enhance their long-range attack.

A Top-4 Seed

Orlando’s success last season was surprising, but it was far from a fluke. The Magic have built their identity around defense and remain excellent on that end of the floor. While the offense still needs improvement, the pieces are in place to give fans confidence that better days are ahead.

Most of their core roster returns this season, with an additional year of experience under their belts. With increasing continuity and smart offseason additions, the Magic are primed to keep moving forward.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Orlando Magic Updates

After finishing fifth last season, expect them to crack the top four this year, securing home-court advantage in the playoffs.

The Rise of Paolo Banchero

The lack of media attention surrounding Paolo Banchero is puzzling. Typically, first overall picks receive near-suffocating levels of coverage. However, Banchero has flown somewhat under the radar. Despite this, he has quietly built himself into one of the best young players in the league and a true franchise cornerstone.

In his rookie year, Banchero won Rookie of the Year with impressive averages of 20 points and 7 rebounds per game, showcasing his scoring ability and flashes of franchise-level talent. In Year 2, he elevated his game, averaging 22.6 points and 5.4 assists per game, becoming a true offensive hub for the Magic.

His shooting also improved, rising to 34% from beyond the arc compared to 30% in his rookie season. His growth, combined with the Magic’s success, earned him his first All-Star selection.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Orlando Magic Updates

Despite his impressive performances, Banchero remains somewhat underappreciated. However, as the Magic become a more consistent threat in the Eastern Conference, expect more attention to gravitate toward him. With another year of development and the spotlight on him, Banchero is poised to enter the upper echelon of NBA stars.

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