Magic Young Core 'Taking Steps Forward,' Says Orlando Exec

The Orlando Magic could possess one of the NBA's best young cores, but an anonymous team executive took that stance a step further.

It's easy to be excited as an Orlando Magic fan right now. 

With the addition of rookie guards Jett Howard and Anthony Black, Orlando now has 12 players under contract that are 25 years old or younger and - including eight under 24. 

“We’ll put our young guys against anyone’s in the league," an anonymous Magic personnel told Spotrac's Keith Smith. "We feel like this group is ready to start taking steps forward. The talent is there, it’s now about adding the experience.”

Following a 34-48 campaign, the potential to build a contender alongside a young nucleus of Cole Anthony, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. is clear.  

Including players that have shown flashes of promise despite injuries limiting their time on the court in recent years, including Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac and Jalen Suggs. 

And despite getting off to a 5-20 start a season ago, the difference with a healthy lineup proved to be the difference. Over Orlando's final 57 games, the team posted a 29-28 mark while possessing one of the league's best defenses over that stretch. 

Even after going winless in Las Vegas Summer League, there were plenty of flashes from Howard and Black that could fit well in Orlando's young rotation come next season, including three-point shooting, on-ball defense and playmaking. 

While the potential to be a contender in the Eastern Conference and one of the NBA's best young teams is there, the Magic now need to translate it to regular season wins. 

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You can follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.

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