Senior NBA Writer Claims Orlando Magic Will Underperform

In his list of teams that will underperform this season, John Hollinger of the Athletic chose to include the Orlando Magic.

Fans of the Orlando Magic would love to imagine their bright young team contending for a play-in spot in 2024 behind stellar play by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

The team seems confident in its abilities and is eager to start cobbling together some wins. Even if 2024 is not the year, it’s clear that the Magic is on the cusp of becoming legitimate contenders in the East as the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks slowly age out of contention.

However, it’s not all sparkles and glitter in Orlando. Not everyone has faith in the Magic, least of all John Hollinger of the Athletic (subscription required). In his summary of five teams that will not live up to expectations, the former Grizzlies VP and ESPN analyst says that 36.5 wins is unrealistic for this team.

Hollinger is not coming from a place of malice. He does give plenty of good reasons as to why Orlando will not make any noise this year. While the Magic’s defense will be very good and they have young scoring options, Hollinger suggests that Banchero and Wagner are not experienced and skilled enough to be the first options on a play-in team. Fultz, Suggs, and Anthony Black are not “spacers and creators,” and Banchero has not shown himself to be an elite shooter in the league. The concerns are valid: Banchero can play point guard, but he shouldn’t have to be depended on to be the primary playmaker, especially on a team with three players 25 or younger.

Wagner and Banchero lead the Magic into the 2024 season.  / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

If the Magic are going to surpass 35 wins, they will have to find a lead guard to set up Banchero and Wagner, instead of asking them to do it themselves. Cole Anthony comes to mind, but more tried and true options like Malcolm Brogdon or even Zach LaVine stand out.

Of course, the Magic could stay the course, win just above 30 games next season, and build a cohesive roster with the pieces it already has. In many ways, that would be the intelligent thing to do. With one of the youngest rosters in the league, there’s no reason to rush the massive amounts of potential the team has. Even if Orlando adds a weapon in the backcourt to improve ball movement and outside shooting, at absolute best the Magic could win 45 games, get bounced in the first round, and maybe stifle the development of franchise players. Or maybe the four or five playoff games the Magic would see would give Wagner and Banchero a taste of what’s to come. 

With or without a playoff appearance, the Magic is on track to make serious noise in the years ahead.