'The Magic Are Coming': Orlando's Young Core Receiving Praise

Heading into post All-Star Break, the Orlando Magic sit at 24-35 and four games back from the coveted final Play-In spot.

ORLANDO - In 82 games last season, the Orlando Magic won just 22 games, setting itself up for a chance at the No. 1 pick after finishing dead-last in the Eastern Conference. 

But through 59 games this year, the Magic has not only surpassed that win total (24) but also used that pick on Paolo Banchero, who has proven to be one of the building blocks of this young nucleus. 

"Every player on the Orlando Magic main roster is 25 years old or younger except Gary Harris," The Athletic said. "The two best, [Banchero] and [Wagner], are 20 and 21 respectively. Orlando will likely have two lottery picks — it’s own and Chicago’s top-4 protected pick — to add to the stable, along with at least $20 million in cap room. The Magic are coming."

After an abysmal 5-20 start to the year, the Magic has posted a 19-15 mark over its past 34 games while also posting a top-10 defense in the NBA. 

Now slotted at 13th in the East, the four games that separate them and the 10th place Toronto Raptors seems daunting with just 23 games to go in the season. 

According to FiveThirtyEight, the site projects Orlando to finish the season with a 33-49 record and just 0.6 percent chance to reach the playoffs.

Luckily for the Magic, whether they reach the postseason or not, the team defied most, if not all, expectations this year with the growth and development.

And the consolation prize?

Likely two lottery more picks in this year's draft. 

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You can follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.

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