Orlando Magic daring predictions after 2024-25 season schedule launch

With the beginning of the 2024-25 NBA season quickly approaching, the Orlando Magic can be a staff that NBA followers and media alike can be keeping track of. They have been one of many shock groups of final yr, ending their playoff drought and ending with a top-five seed within the Jap Convention. Forward of the beginning of the season, we’ll be making our Magic daring predictions.

The Magic had a profitable offseason, inking one among their franchise stars in Franz Wagner to a contract extension. Additionally they managed to seize one of many prime free brokers available on the market in 3&D wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

The Magic even have a bevy of younger gamers with untapped potential. To not point out franchise star Paolo Banchero who’s primed to take one other leap in his improvement. One of many key questions for the Magic is that if they will construct on final season’s success and proceed their trajectory as an up and coming contender within the East. Nonetheless, let’s transfer on to our Magic daring predictions.

Magic can have one of many NBA’s greatest benches this season

Trying on the Magic roster, they’ve a few younger, intriguing gamers in Jett Howard and Anthony Black. Neither one issue prominently into the Magic’s rotation final season, however each are oozing with expertise and might be the explanation the Magic take one other leap.

Howard appeared in solely 18 video games as a rookie, however he’s coming off a powerful NBA Summer season League efficiency. He put up 19 factors on 50 % taking pictures from the sector and 47.6 % taking pictures from the three-point line. For a staff that struggled at instances to constantly knock down three-point photographs, Howard may help deal with these considerations. He may also operate as an off the dribble creator.

Black noticed extra recreation motion than Howard did, and was capable of present flashes even beginning 33 video games. His effectivity final season was stable at 46.6 % from the sector and 39.4 % from three-point vary. He’s already a robust defensive participant in addition to a ball-handler and playmaker.

Each gamers are clearly going to must show they’re worthy of rotation minutes forward of a few of their extra veteran teammates. However they will exponentially elevate the Magic’s ceiling. Search for them to have a robust camp and preseason and to hold that over into the common season.

Jonathan Isaac can be within the DPOY dialog

The NBA’s Defensive Participant of the Yr Award, and the following All-Defensive First Workforce, appear reserved for large males. Even Alex Caruso had a chuckle concerning the positions of gamers on the primary and second groups.

But when any guard/wing goes to problem for the league’s prime defensive award, it’s going to be Jonathan Isaac. Isaac’s NBA profession with the Magic has been damage plagued, however he appeared in 58 video games final season. That’s the second most of his profession and probably the most because the 2018-2019 season when he performed in 75 video games.

Isaac led the NBA in defensive score final season as per Nathaniel Marrero of Sports activities Illustrated. The Magic have been second within the league in defensive score with Isaac on the courtroom. Merely put, the Magic are an elite protection when anchored by Isaac. His size and mobility enable him to protect a number of positions. And the staff simply locked him up long-term with a five-year contract extension.

Isaac goes to get his likelihood to shine this upcoming yr, supplied he stays wholesome that’s. If the Magic end with a prime seed within the East, search for voters to provide him severe appears for the DPOY Award.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s impression powers Magic to prime 4 seed

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was one of many prime free brokers accessible this offseason and his loss goes to be an impactful one for the Denver Nuggets. However the Magic stand to realize in an enormous method from his addition.

His impression on the 2020 Lakers and 2023 Nuggets throughout their title runs can’t be overstated. He’s the epitome of a star in his function. The Magic already had a prime defensive staff, his prowess on the perimeter will solely add to that. And his profession 36.9 % taking pictures from three-point vary will open the ground for Banchero and Wagner to assault the basket.

Caldwell-Pope can be slotted in because the Magic’s beginning taking pictures guard alongside Jalen Suggs. That pairing alone has the potential to be one of the best defensive backcourt within the NBA. However the general impression that Caldwell-Pope can have can be within the standings. The above Magic daring predictions, together with this one, will see the Magic rise and have house courtroom benefit in not less than the primary spherical of the NBA Playoffs.