NBA Power Rankings: Magic Near The Bottom?

Did the Orlando Magic's offseason prompt a jump in ESPN's power rankings?

ORLANDO - For as much potential as the Orlando Magic may have, the only way to see if the young team will make a jump next season is when they return to the court next season.

After a relatively quiet offseason where the Magic drafted Anthony Black and Jett Howard then signed Joe Ingles, ESPN ranked them No. 23 in its power rankings. 

"Orlando added veteran forward Joe Ingles this offseason to add some experience to a very young roster," ESPN writes. "The Magic also picked up two more lottery picks in Arkansas guard Anthony Black and Michigan forward Jett Howard. But perhaps the biggest move Orlando made this offseason was promoting Anthony Parker to replace John Hammond, who moved into an advisory role."

Four of the teams ranked right ahead of the Magic were the Atlanta Hawks (No. 18), Brooklyn Nets (No. 19), Indiana Pacers (No.21) and Chicago Bulls (No. 22).

Orlando general manager Anthony Parker faces some key decisions that will likely determine the trajectory of the team next season. The additions of Black and Howard gives the Magic a crowded backcourt that includes Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs and Gary Harris. 

Anthony is a restricted free agent after this season, while Fultz and Harris are also in the final year of their contracts. And while Suggs' contract has him tied to Orlando through 2025, injuries have hampered the first two years of his career and caused him to miss 83 games. 

One of the three may end up being a part of a deal that gives Orlando more draft capital or an opportunity to add an established player that can elevate their ceiling in the immediate future. 

The Magic's hopes to make the jump necessary to become a playoff team will depend heavily on the play of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. If the young forwards continue to develop and become one of the better duos in the NBA, that may be enough to propel the ascending team. 

A 5-20 start doomed Orlando in the 2023, though they bounced back to play 29-28 the rest of the way and in the play-in picture in the latter half of the season. While they may not have moved the needle with a big move this offseason, Orlando's play down the stretch may have shown time and development are what the team needs to improve. 

If Orlando can continue on a strong second half from last season and their young players improve, they'll have a chance to jump the teams ahead of them and be firmly in the playoff picture in 2024. 

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