Magic Season Ends, But Ascent Begins

The Orlando Magic have been eliminated from the 2024 NBA Playoffs, but they should be back for many years to come.

Jeremy Brener | May 5, 2024

May 5, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) drives to the basket / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

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ORLANDO — The Orlando Magic are entering the offseason after their Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, but there is reason for optimism despite the elimination.

After a 13-win improvement from the previous year and a playoff appearance for the first time since 2020, the Magic can walk away from the season knowing they are moving in the right direction.

Last year, the Magic grew from a 22-win team to 34 victories, a sign that they had the right pieces, but that they may not be ready. This season proved that they are capable of winning at a high level.

Coach Jamahl Mosley has preached process over results all season long, and even though the result may not have been what they wanted, the process is in full swing. Now, the Magic know they can win with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner as the heads of the snake, even if the latter struggled mightily in Game 7. Jalen Suggs also proved himself to be a long-term building block after taking a major step in the right direction.

Now, the Magic's goal is to build around the three of them. It won't be easy considering change has to be made to a roster that has prided itself on continuity and compassion for one another. This special group won't ever be the same again. Changes need to be made in order to improve the roster, but we're not talking about a facelift. There will be some minor changes to the team as it hopes a little more time and experience with each other will get Orlando one step closer to where it wants to be.

Related stories on the Orlando Magic

GAME 7 RECAP: The Orlando Magic's season comes to an end after a Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. CLICK HERE

FRANZ SHOOTING WOES: The Orlando Magic must have a great shooting night from Franz Wagner in game seven if the team hopes to advance past the Cleveland Cavaliers. CLICK HERE

PAOLO'S HISTORIC HALF: Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero is carrying his team in Game 7 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers. CLICK HERE

Published May 5, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.