The Orlando Magic’s starters are going to draw most of the attention this season, and that makes sense. But the bench could end up telling just as important a story.
That’s where Tristan da Silva, Jamal Cain and Noah Penda come in. Each one has a chance to be more than just a name in the rotation - they could help shape how steady the Magic look when the second unit hits the floor.
The fit matters here because Orlando already has Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner locked in at forward. What happens when they head to the bench will matter, too.
If da Silva, Cain or Penda can keep the level high, the Magic won’t have to scramble to get Banchero or Wagner back out there. That kind of stability also gives the stars more room to breathe, and it should make Sean Sweeney and the coaching staff’s job easier.
There’s also a clean basketball fit to think about. If these reserves can hold up alongside Banchero and Wagner, Orlando won’t have to worry about awkward overlap when substitutions start flying. That makes lineup management a lot simpler.
Da Silva already showed he can contribute. In 2025-26, he averaged 9.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 45% from the field and 37.4% from deep. If he keeps that level of production and efficiency, his shooting could become a real asset, especially if Banchero or Wagner hit a rough patch from outside.
Cain’s path looks different, but it could be just as useful. He appeared in only 40 regular-season games in 2025-26, yet he was there for all seven of Orlando’s postseason games and started three of them. Even without a huge scoring line, earning that kind of trust would be a meaningful step.
Penda, meanwhile, is the youngest of the group at 21 and didn’t put up eye-popping numbers in his rookie season. Still, he flashed upside, and he shot well from the field and from three. With another year under his belt and the chance for a bigger role, there’s reason to think he can keep building.
That’s why preseason matters for this trio. Da Silva, Cain and Penda all have a chance to leave a mark, and the Magic will be watching closely to see who looks ready before the season begins.
In Other News...
Hornets Already Have An Early Brandon Miller Concern
The preseason often serves as the first real checkpoint for young players trying to carve out a role, and for Brandon Miller, it has already delivered an unwelcome one. The Hornets said Miller and Christian Anderson Jr. were held out of the preseason opener after injuries suffered in practice, and both were listed as day-to-day, a reminder of how quickly camp work can complicate an early evaluation period.
Around the league, coaches are still sorting out how much to lean on rotation pieces and how to fold new faces into the mix, which only makes those early absences more notable. Orlando has had its own developmental buzz this summer, with Sean Sweeney praising two-way players Alex Morales and Colin Castleton for the work they put in during practices, a useful contrast to the health questions that can pop up before the games even start counting. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Just Got Linked To A Kyrie Trade Fans Will Debate
Kyrie Irvings name is back in the rumor mill, and this time Orlando is at least adjacent to the conversation. Reports have suggested Irving could be open to a trade if it lines up with his long-term goals, and NBA insider Marc Spears said Mavericks management may be willing to work with him if he pushes for a move.
For the Magic, the idea is easy to understand even if it is far from simple to sort out. Irving would instantly change the profile of an Orlando offense looking to climb the Eastern Conference ladder, but any potential deal would have to clear a steep bar in terms of value and certainty, especially with a player whose next step could shape the franchises direction just as much as his on-court talent. [Read more 🡒]
Alex Morales Is Giving The Magic A Reason To Trust Him
Alex Morales has already given the Magic a useful reminder of what two-way players can bring when the preseason gets a little grimy. Against the Memphis Grizzlies, he made his presence felt by chasing down offensive rebounds and turning loose possessions into extra chances, the kind of work that does not always show up first on the highlight reel but tends to matter when a game tightens up.
For a team trying to sort out the edges of its roster, those minutes are the ones that build trust. Coach Sean Sweeney saw Morales helping in the small, necessary ways throughout the game, and that is often the lane for a player on his path: energy, activity and support rather than big scoring totals. If Orlando is looking for reliable depth, performances like this are the sort that keep a player in the conversation. [Read more 🡒]