Post Mortem #18 - Orlando Magic

Post #1 » by **Clav** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 3:17 am

After getting one game from the defending champs, the 18th team eliminated is the Orlando Magic.

Previous Threads:

Spoiler:

Time of death: April 19, 2025
Record at elimination: 41-41 (1-0 in play-in, 1-4 in playoffs)
Head coach: Jamahl Mosley

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/orlando-magic/yearly

Contract summary:

Franz Wagner – 5/224M remaining
Jonathan Isaac – 4yr/60M remaining (some non-guarantees on yr2-3-4)
KCP – 2yr/42 remaining (final year 21M PO)
Cole Anthony – 2yr/26M remaining (final year 13M TO)
Wendell Carter Jr – 4/70 remaining (final year 20M TO)
Mo Wagner – 11M TO to decide in offseason
Jalen Suggs – 5/150M remaining
Goga Bitadze – 2yr/15M remaining
Gary Harris – 7.5M TO to decide in offseason
Cory Joseph – 3.5M TO

Rookie Scale/minimums (varies on 2-4 years remaining):

Banchero – extension eligible, or 15M QO
Anthony Black – 2/18M
Jett Howard – 2/12M
Tristan da Silva – 3/14M
Caleb Houstan – extension eligible or 2M TO

TW
Mac McClung
Trevelin Queen
Ethan Thompson

Dead-cap – NONE retained this season, NONE for next season.

25-26 Capspace – over the cap, non-tax team. Should be 1st Apron after offseason increases.

PICKS for 2025 draft:
ORL 1st
DEN 1st
ORL 2nd
BOS 2nd

A SMALL SEASON REVIEW:
https://www.espn.com/nba/team/schedule/_/name/orl/orlando-magic

If not for oblique injuries to Banchero and Wagner, I’m pretty sure we’re talking about a Magic team that made it to top-4 in the East. However they struggled mightily without their top-2 players, and Suggs / Mo Wagner also suffered serious injuries as well.

Safe to say that the rotten luck in the injury department affected the team’s overall ceiling. They played really well in the playoffs but ran into a juggernaut team, the Celtics. I was impressed with the Magic’s fight, however they ultimately fall in 5 games and fans should be happy that there’s experience had here and room to grow even if the result doesn’t equate to Championship this year.

The nice part of the offseason is the ability to re-tool with 4 selections in the draft, including DEN’s late 1st, ORL’s own 1st, and a couple of 2nds. The young players improved, and Isaac stayed healthy for the most part, I think that's a major success!

KCP had a down year, but played a lot. The younger players did step up, at full strength plus new rookies this team is trending upwards for me. Some of these players have questions as to long-term fit, but the trio of Wagner/Banchero/Suggs seems to be well positioned to contend long term.

This team has used a variety of C’s and PGs, and I’m left generally impressed with the C rotation, but Magic could use a proper scoring threat in the back court to round out the roster, and improve the C if possible. With many selections in this draft, how will ORL approach the offseason and what’s your pulse on their team after this year?

wco81 · Post #2 » by **wco81** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 3:26 am

If Franz can't find a 3-point shot, that's going to be a grim contract.

Problem wouldn't have been as acute if KCP shot it like he has before coming to Orlando.

Also getting Suggs back would be key.

But they definitely need to add shooting.

Marvin Martian · Post #3 » by **Marvin Martian** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 3:27 am

I know it's early, but I am not sold on the Paolo/Franz combo. I know their teammates stink offensively and can't shoot, but I don't see what that has to do with neither of them being good shooters themselves. Franz went from being a decent 3pt shooter to being terrible and Paolo has never been a good outside shooter.

I don't see how this duo can ever lead a top 10 offense.

Still I don't think that is an excuse to not pick up the phone and trade Black for some shooting

Marvin Martian · Post #4 » by **Marvin Martian** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 3:34 am

wco81 wrote:If Franz can't find a 3-point shot, that's going to be a grim contract.

Problem wouldn't have been as acute if KCP shot it like he has before coming to Orlando.

Also getting Suggs back would be key.

But they definitely need to add shooting.

Paolo needs to be held accountable for his lack of 3pt shooting as well. He and Franz take the same amount of 3s per game

ORLMagicGirl15 · Post #5 » by **ORLMagicGirl15** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 3:35 am

Thank you so much Magic players for never giving up throughout this season. This season has been one of the coolest and hardest to watch, full of emotions because of what could have been. To see this team go through the loss of Paolo with his right oblique for 34 games, watching Franz emerge as an all-nba type player until his right oblique decided to join Paolo’s. Then watching this team come together, Suggs becoming the lead scorer, never giving up and having some spectacular games before we loss Suggs and Mo’s for the season. Our offense has been putrid, but the defense has been amazing. To stay the #2 defense with the loss of all of these players has been incredible.

Thank you Paolo, Franz, Suggs, Mo, KCP, Corey, AB, TDS, Goga, JI, WCJ, Jett, Caleb, Cole, Gary, Travelin, Mac, and Ethan. You have been one of the best parts of this season. And thank you to Mosley, the coaches staff, and all our broadcasters and reporters. Enjoy your summer, rest up, and God willing, we’ll see you next season. Go Magic!!!

FYI: Yes, I know they don’t read the board. :lol:

Post #6 » by **SuperDeluxe** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 3:42 am

They're on the right path. Now they need a PG and shooters. They'll be fine. Banchero is soooo good.

KIRAG · Post #7 » by **KIRAG** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 3:42 am

Respect and good series Orlando!

Paolo and Franz could be the next JT and JB, just need to add a few better supporting cast and a good coach on offense yall be making noise in the coming years.

doogie_hauser · Post #8 » by **doogie_hauser** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 3:42 am

They were never going to go far these playoffs after Suggs went down for the season (probably their 3rd most important/best player) but they definitely deserve a lot of respect for fighting to make the playoffs and generally making life difficult for the Celtics, only game 5 was a blow out.

Definitely need an upgrade on wing scoring somehow.

The good news is they have the draft picks and player assets to possibly trade for a Booker or possibly Giannis in the off season (if they want to go down that route)

I like coach Mosley, and they should retain him
Hopefully they stay healthy next season, they are good enough to finish in a top 4 seed in the rising East.

giberish · Post #9 » by **giberish** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 3:44 am

People talk about 3pt% far too much when discussing shooting. There's a major difference between guys to make 3's because the defense leaves them open to deal with bigger threats and guys who the offense works to get a half-open shot because they're that dangerous.

KCP was always the first type, but Orlando needs players in the 2nd type. Ideally one to start next to Suggs and another bench option in the backcourt. That would be the top priority. Figure the team has 2 1sts, one spare center (Goga most likely) and would want to move KCP to clear salary as well. That should be the big offseason plan. (keep Anthony or Black as a backup - preferably Black but if needed for value out he could be moved).

I'd otherwise stay the course and hope for better health. I wouldn't consider Franz or Paolo completely untouchable, but it would need to be a really attractive offer to make a deal. I wouldn't look to move Suggs as he can work as either a starting PG or SG and if you do trade him then you need to add two starting guards.

JT3000 · Post #10 » by **JT3000** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 4:04 am

Who voted that they performed as expected? Because that definitely isn't the case. Unfortunately even when healthy, they will probably turn into a treadmill team unless the front office starts giving a damn and gets this team some reliable shooting (and finds a way to get rid of KCP.) We will also need that to be a focus for internal development from Banchero and especially Wagner. He can't continue to have a completely broken shot if we expect to succeed.

ForeverTFC · Post #11 » by **ForeverTFC** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 4:16 am

JT3000 wrote:Who voted that they performed as expected? Because that definitely isn't the case.

You had higher expectations for a team that struggles to put the ball in the basket in a sport called basketball?

Johnny Tomala · Post #12 » by **Johnny Tomala** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 4:21 am

Keep, keep, as expected, treadmill.

FarBeyondDriven · Post #13 » by **FarBeyondDriven** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 4:21 am

Keep, Keep, As expected, treadmill

Their two best players aren't complimentary like other top duos throughout the league. They lack a dynamic center and they lack a true point guard, this, despite having many chances over the years to address these glaring needs via the draft, FA or trades. Which is why they're a treadmill team or at least headed towards being one without making major moves. I would give this front office one more year then they'll be on the hot seat. I didn't expect more than them making the playoffs and potentially winning a playoff series depending on opponent so this was expected.

JT3000 · Post #14 » by **JT3000** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 4:23 am

ForeverTFC wrote:
JT3000 wrote:Who voted that they performed as expected? Because that definitely isn't the case.

You had higher expectations for a team that struggles to put the ball in the basket in a sport called basketball?

Considering they were the 5th seed last season, taking the Cavs to 7 games, and the 3rd seed for the early portion of this season, even without Paolo? Uhh... yeah. :-?

No one in their right mind thinks this team performed to expectations.

Post #15 » by **dakomish23** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 4:41 am

I’m sure there’s a 1000 reasons not to do this but I would like them to pursue both Trae & Cam Johnson. They need guys who the defense will guard at the 3PT line. Give up some defense, gain a much needed shot in the arm on offense.

pepe1991 · Post #16 » by **pepe1991** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 5:18 am

In desperate need lead for starting level PG who can make shots off dribble and set offense, control pace and run transition when it's open.

Right now we are stuck in 2004 basketball. Grindhouse of defense and fitting, 2004 offense, mid range shooting, no spacing, 3 point shooters without rhythm nor ability to actually make OPEN shots.

Wasted near 5 years on Fultz, wasted salary cap on KCP, entering playoffs for second year without PG, hoping for different results.

Isaac's contract, 4 Cs on roster yet nobody is starting level good. So many missed chances to add actual talent while Paolo & Franz were on cheap contracts.

durden_tyler · Post #17 » by **durden_tyler** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 5:43 am

i do think you don’t need a star PG (via FA or trade) because you already have Suggs.

If you are going to get that 2nd star i think it should be from the wing position (like a Jimmy Butler). Continue the grind it out ways but with another offensive threat to give more space to Banchero and Wagner.

And oh, give up the Jonathan Isaac experiment already.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ralof · Post #18 » by **Ralof** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 6:05 am

They Need a Primary creator superstar and a pair of 3&D (not D&3).

They Will do that?not at all',keep going this way,with Just defense and using Wagner and banchero like they were LeBron and doncic.

41-48 W for next two-three years ,with top 3 D and +20th offense,and then rebuild.

TheNewEra · Post #19 » by **TheNewEra** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 6:08 am

Get good guards and get plenty of good guards

Message Boar · Post #20 » by **Message Boar** » Wed Apr 30, 2025 7:16 am

Change the FO - have to stay consistent with my sig, you know. Realistically, they stay; but better make big moves to help the offense this offseason.

Keep Mosley for now - but if the offense sucks again next season he's on the hot seat, too.

Performed worse - versus preseason expecations, in large part due to injuries.

Improving team - looking at Franz/Paolo/Suggs' ages, the arrow is still pointing up.

Select one of each option (4 total questions)