Welcome to IAI Sports! And welcome to the 2022-23 NBA Season!
To begin the season, we will be running through each NBA team and analysing what they’ve done throughout the off-season. Each article will start off with an introduction, telling a story of how this team is where they are at today. We quickly delve into the results of the 2021-2022 NBA season, before diving into the off-season in’s and out’s.
From there, we go into depth discussing some of the important rotation pieces for the upcoming season, before finishing with a quick analysis of a team’s win totals and a full conclusion of why this team has completed these moves, what their win total will be, and my own predictions of breakout players and what to expect from this team. It’s a season preview series with the purpose of getting you up-to-date with what has happened throughout the league.
A season preview of each of the 30 teams will be released, leading up to the beginning of the NBA season. All data and information included in these articles have been gathered from Basketball Reference, NBA.com and ESPN.
Today’s team is the Orlando Magic – a rebuilding roster, who added the 1st overall pick to their team – Paolo Banchero.
Introduction
The Orlando Magic are a franchise that have squandered opportunities to be successful, despite having some of the best talent to ever play the NBA come through their doors. The likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, Tracy McGrady and Dwight Howard have gotten the Magic to countless playoff appearances and two NBA Finals. But the elusive NBA championship has always hovered just outside their grasp.
This past decade of Magic basketball has been spent rebuilding the roster since Dwight Howard requested a trade from the team at the end of the 2012 season. They quickly became one of the worst teams in the NBA, resulting in multiple years of praying for lottery balls and hoping their next superstar could come from the draft. This brought in the likes of Victor Oladipo (2nd pick, 2013 draft), Aaron Gordon (4th pick, 2014 draft), Elfrid Payton (10th pick, 2014 draft) and Mario Hezonja (5th pick, 2015 draft) with their high-end lottery picks, while finding gems in the rough like Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier.
The Magic were progressing well and rebuilding patiently, until the front office decided to move from Oladipo and a 2016 1st round pick for Serge Ibaka. Ibaka didn’t last a full season with the team, pushing the Magic back multiple years in their rebuild. More high draft picks came into the ball club, including Jonathan Isaac (6th pick, 2017 draft) and Mo Bamba (6th pick, 2018 draft), while also buying low on former #1 pick Markelle Fultz.
Under head coach Steve Clifford, he was able to bring the best out of the group and break the Magic’s playoff drought in 2019. The team was able to steal a victory in their 1st round matchup with the Toronto Raptors, but would ultimately lose the series in 5 games. A similar tale occurred the following 2020 season, where the Magic won the 1st game against the formidable Milwaukee Bucks, but would lose the rest.
The team got off to a flying start to begin the 2021 season, sitting 3rd in the Eastern Conference with a 6-2 record. In what would be the start of an unwelcome trend for the season, Markelle Fultz would tear his ACL. It was a tough season dealing with injuries, resulting in one of the worst records in the Eastern Conference. The front office had seen enough, trading long-time Magic stalwarts Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon to other contending franchises at the trade deadline, resetting the franchise and putting the team into yet another rebuild.
Last Season
It was a fresh start for the Magic, acquiring Wendell Carter Jr, Gary Harris and RJ Hampton in various trades at the previous season’s trade deadline. They were also able to bring in the 5th and 8th overall picks, Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner, to partner Cole Anthony, Mo Bamba and Chuma Okeke.
As expected, it was a tough season. The team trotted out one of the youngest starting line-ups in the league (Anthony-Suggs-Wagner-Carter Jr-Bamba), trying to get as much experience into these young players and the opportunity to see if they had what it took to play in the NBA. By the time mid-season came around, the Magic had been on multiple large losing streaks (two 7-game and a 10-game losing streak) to have a record of 7-35 and the last place in the Eastern Conference.
While the second half of the season wasn’t pretty (a record of 15-25 can attest), there some really positive signs. Post the All-Star break, the team had the 7th best defence, ultimately finishing the season ranked 19th in defensive efficiency. The Magic would finish the season with a 22-60 record, the worst in the Eastern Conference, and only ahead of the Houston Rockets. Offensively, the team did not fare well, ranked 29th in offensive efficiency for the year.
Off-Season
Ins:
Paolo Banchero (1st pick, NBA draft)
Caleb Houstan (32nd pick, NBA draft)
Outs:
Robin Lopez (free agency, moved to Cleveland Cavaliers)
Ignas Brazdeikis (free agency, signed overseas)
After a decade of rebuilding without any luck in the lottery, the Magic were rewarded the 1st overall selection for their 2022 draft. Despite many predicting Jabari Smith Jr to be taken, the Magic opted for Duke star Paolo Banchero. They also brought in sharpshooting wing, Caleb Houstan with the 32nd overall selection. All of the Magic free agency moves involved re-signing players, such as Mo Bamba (2 yr/$20.6m), Gary Harris (2 yr/$26m) and Bol Bol (2 yr/$4.4m).
The only main player to leave the team was the end-of-bench veteran, Robin Lopez, signing a deal with the Cavaliers to play the same role for a championship-competing team. While Ignas Brazdeikis (who was on a two-way contract) signed with an overseas team.
2022-23 Roster
Starting Five
PG – Markelle Fultz
| H: 6’3″ | W: 209lbs | Age: 24 |
| Contract: 2 yr/$33.5m | Years Pro: 5 |
Career Averages:
10.9 pts, 3.2 reb, 4.8 asts, 1.1 stls, 0.2 blks, 1.9 to, 45.0%/26.2%/70.8%, 24.8 mins
Averages Last Season:
10.8 pts, 2.7 reb, 5.5 asts, 1.1 stls, 0.3 blks, 2.2 to, 47.4%/23.5%/80.6%, 20.0 mins
2022-23 Projections:
11.0 pts, 3.1 reb, 4.7 asts, 1.1 stls, 0.2 blks, 1.9 to, 46.7%/29.4%/79.2%
Markelle Fultz has had a rough run with injuries. Upper body and shoulder injuries ruined his time in Philadelphia, before spending the past 2 seasons recovering and coming back from an ACL tear. He brings a stable source of playmaking, with a high basketball IQ. He may never be able to execute the 3-point shot like he did in college, but has improved his interior and mid-range scoring.
SG – Jalen Suggs
| H: 6’4″ | W: 205lbs | Age: 21 |
| Contract: 3 yr/$23.4m (RC) | Years Pro: 1 |
Career Averages:
11.8 pts, 3.6 reb, 4.4 asts, 1.2 stls, 0.4 blks, 3.0 to, 36.1%/21.4%/77.3%, 27.2 mins
Averages Last Season:
11.8 pts, 3.6 reb, 4.4 asts, 1.2 stls, 0.4 blks, 3.0 to, 36.1%/21.4%/77.3%, 27.2 mins
2022-23 Projections:
12.2 pts, 3.9 reb, 4.3 asts, 1.2 stls, 0.5 blks, 2.7 to, 38.4%/24.0%/78.3%
It was a tough rookie season for Jalen Suggs. Having high expectations coming out of college, he really struggled to score efficiently, shooting a horrendous 36.1% from the field and 21.4% from 3-point range. What kept him playable was his above-average defensive play. Orlando paid a high price to bring Suggs to the ball club; he needs to continue to develop his defence while at least producing a semblance of offensive output to retain his value.
SF - Franz Wagner
| H: 6’9″ | W: 225lbs | Age: 21 |
| Contract: 3 yr/$17.8m (RC) | Years Pro: 1 |
Career Averages:
15.2 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.9 asts, 0.9 stls, 0.4 blks, 1.5 to, 46.8%/35.4%/86.3%, 30.7 mins
Averages Last Season:
15.2 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.9 asts, 0.9 stls, 0.4 blks, 1.5 to, 46.8%/35.4%/86.3%, 30.7 mins
2022-23 Projections:
15.5 pts, 4.7 reb, 3.0 asts, 0.9 stls, 0.4 blks, 1.4 to, 48.1%/36.7%/86.4%
Franz Wagner surprised many with how NBA ready he was. He started and played 78 games, often tasked with a variety of roles, like facilitating the offence and being a complementary piece alongside ball dominant guards like Anthony and Suggs. Wagner is an excellent cutter and showed potential to be both a catch-and-shoot and pull up 3-point shooter. He was rewarded with selection to the All-Rookie First team.
PF - Paolo Banchero
| H: 6’10” | W: 250lbs | Age: 19 |
| Contract: 4 yr/$50.2m (RC) | Years Pro: 0 |
Career Averages:
N/A (Rookie Season)
Averages Last Season:
N/A (Rookie Season)
2022-23 Projections:
17.9 pts, 7.7 reb, 3.2 asts, 0.8 stls, 0.9 blks, 2.4 to, 47.0%/33.3%/72.9%
Paolo Banchero comes to the Orlando Magic as the new face of the franchise. In his sole season at Duke University, he was the main scoring option with potential as a ball-handling playmaker. With the Magic, he will be tasked to score and facilitate the offence from isolation, the post and as the screener in pick-and-roll sets. He won’t set the world alight with his shooting, but it has both room and time to grow.
C - Wendell Carter Jr.
| H: 6’10” | W: 270lbs | Age: 23 |
| Contract: 4 yr/$50.1m | Years Pro: 4 |
Career Averages:
12.2 pts, 8.9 reb, 2.0 asts, 0.6 stls, 0.9 blks, 1.6 to, 51.3%/29.8%/73.1%, 27.6 mins
Averages Last Season:
15.0 pts, 10.5 reb, 2.8 asts, 0.6 stls, 0.7 blks, 1.9 to, 52.5%/32.7%/69.1%, 29.9 mins
2022-23 Projections:
14.0 pts, 9.7 reb, 2.5 asts, 0.6 stls, 0.7 blks, 1.7 to, 52.7%/33.4%/71.7%
Wendell Carter Jr broke out with increased opportunity to play high quality minutes as a PF. His last season was very promising, playing the most games of his career, averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists, and showed signs of a developing 3-point shot (32.7% on 3.5 attempts per game last season). He is now an important piece to this Magic rebuild, from both an offensive and defensive stand point.
Backups
G - Cole Anthony
| H: 6’2″ | W: 185lbs | Age: 22 |
| Contract: 2 yr/$8.9m (RC) | Years Pro: 2 |
In the short amount of time in the NBA, Cole Anthony has embraced the franchise through his passion on the court. He best contributes with the ball in his hands, whether that is going for rebounds at 6’2” (5.4 per game last season) or being the playmaker on offence (5.7 assists per game last year). What holds him back is his inefficient shooting (39.3% from the field and 33.7% from 3-point range for his career), which will be the next phase of his development.
G - Gary Harris
| H: 6’4″ | W: 210lbs | Age: 28 |
| Contract: 2 yr/$26m | Years Pro: 8 |
Gary Harris bounced back in his first full season in Orlando, after a couple of injury-riddled and inefficient seasons. He embraced the corner 3-ball, resulting in his best shooting splits since 2018 (38.4% from 3-point range last season). He is the eldest of this super young Magic roster, splitting between the starting line-up and bench unit as a resurged 3-and-D guard. Someone of Harris’ vintage is important to have in the locker room, thus the contract extension during the off-season.
F - Chuma Okeke
| H: 6’6″ | W: 229lbs | Age: 24 |
| Contract: 2 yr/$8.7m (RC) | Years Pro: 2 |
Chuma Okeke is an important defensive presence for the bench unit. Averaging 1.3 steals for his career, his 7’0” wingspan allows him to be a presence on the perimeter, as well as the interior on opposing forwards. Okeke did take a step back in his offensive development, particularly his 3-point shooting percentages as he developed more as a floor spacer.
F - Jonathan Isaac
| H: 6’11” | W: 230lbs | Age: 24 |
| Contract: 3 yr/$52.2m | Years Pro: 3 |
Jonathan Isaac has great potential to become one of the best defensive players in the league. He has the length to defend larger players at the rim, as well as the athleticism to guard on the perimeter. The problem is his health. He has only played a full season once in his career and missed the past two recovering from an ACL tear. The Magic organisation is hoping that he can come back and play a solid season of basketball.
C - Mo Bamba
| H: 7’0″ | W: 231lbs | Age: 24 |
| Contract: 2 yr/$20.6m | Years Pro: 4 |
Last season, Mo Bamba played the most meaningful minutes of his career. Starting at Centre, he made significant strides behind the 3-point arc and at the free throw line, resulting in a career-high in points per game (10.6). Was crucial to the Magic’s top 10 defence to end the season, using his massive wingspan (7’10”) to block shots and disrupt opposing shot attempts in the paint. Signed an extension to come off the bench with the addition of Banchero.
The Rest
11. Terrence Ross (SG/SF)
12. RJ Hampton (SG)
13. Moritz Wagner (PF/C)
14. Devin Cannady (PG)
15. Caleb Houstan (SF)
16. Bol Bol (PF/C)
T-W. Admiral Schofield (SF)
T-W. Kevon Harris (SG)
Season Projections
Sports betting agencies currently have the Orlando Magic win totals sitting at 27.5 wins, the 2nd worst in the Eastern Conference. Obviously, the Magic are not in a position to be competing for playoff spots, but are further advanced in their rebuild compared to the likes of the Spurs, Rockets, Pacers and Jazz. The Magic won’t be the worst team in basketball next season, but are still a couple of seasons away from battling for the play-in tournament.
Conclusion
The Orlando Magic are progressing through their rebuild nicely. While it has been a long wait for many fans, this group of players with head coach Jamahl Mosley are building a defensive-minded team with a good culture to keep players around for the long haul.
Picking Paolo Banchero 1st overall was the correct choice. This team needed a go-to guy; someone who can put the ball on the court and get the team a bucket. Banchero is over Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr to be that sort of player. Importantly, Banchero will definitely help the Magic improve their 29th ranked offence, since their offence now has an identity and a designated facilitator.
The rest of the pieces on this Magic roster are more complementary than go-to guys, in light of acquiring Banchero. Pairing him up with Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr will bring out the best in each player. Wagner’s craftiness to find a back door cut will work simultaneously alongside Banchero’s playmaking/scoring in the post or in pick-and-roll plays. In contrast, Carter Jr is strong enough defensively to partner with Banchero. If these three can develop together to incorporate each of their strengths, as well as build reliable 3-point shots, it will help progress the offence faster than expected.
One of the key reasons why the offence struggled last season was due to the inefficiencies of their guard play. Currently, the Magic have four future potential starting options: Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs and RJ Hampton. All four shot under 35% from 3-point range last season, while Fultz was the only one to shoot above 40% from the field. In order for the Magic to reach their full potential, at least two of these four guards must step up and develop their shooting. It will make the offence less predictable and give the likes of Banchero and Wagner more space to score from the interior.
With outside shooting such a key focus, the re-signing of Gary Harris and Mo Bamba are two great moves for this organisation. Even though both Harris and Bamba are not expected to be starters, both showed that they were two of the best shooters on the team last season, based off continuity and averages. Keeping these two around allows for stability in the rotation and gives Mosley reliable options in case the team is really struggling from downtown. The contracts are also very tradable, in case there is a trade target the front office has their eyes on.
It will be another season of predominantly losing, but finishing last season with a 15-25 record and the 7th best defence gives the fanbase some optimism that things are turning for the better. While I don’t expect the defence to remain top 10 (especially swapping Bamba for Banchero), being a top-15 defence wouldn’t be out of the question. The development of the Magic will be dependent on how far they progress offensively. At this stage in the rebuild, the Magic offence will be the thing holding the team back. Which is why I’m predicting the Magic to win 27 games this season – a 5 game improvement from last season.
With Bamba back to the bench, Carter Jr will have a statistically significant season, getting lots of rebounds and continuing his development as a 3-point shooter. The team will also recognise that the Fultz-Suggs backcourt will be the future of the Magic, with Anthony coming off the bench. Suggs will bounce back after a shocking rookie season, to be a league-average shooter and above-average defensive guard, with Fultz being the lead-guard that helps glue the starting core together.