The Orlando Magic’s Emirates NBA Cup path just got tougher before it even starts.
Orlando is set to open Group A play against the Toronto Raptors, and the matchup now carries a different level of difficulty with Kawhi Leonard expected to be part of that roster. The Raptors were already a young, talented team, but Leonard’s addition changes the look of the group entirely for the Magic, who are trying to recreate the momentum they built last season.
The Magic went 4-0 in group play in last year’s NBA Cup before falling to the New York Knicks in the semifinals. This time around, they’ll be grouped with the Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets and Detroit Pistons. Toronto now feels like the swing game in that opening stretch, especially with Leonard expected to be available.
The reason Leonard’s status shifted is tied to the league’s ruling in the investigation into his involvement with the Clippers in circumventing the salary cap. On Wednesday, a verdict was released, and ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported the punishment. Leonard was ordered to pay $700,000 in restitution, but he avoided suspension and did not have his contract voided.
That leaves the trade to the Raptors on track, and it means Orlando should see Leonard on Oct. 30 when the teams meet in Toronto for the Magic’s first NBA Cup game. The schedule adds another wrinkle, too: the teams will also play on Oct. 28 at Scotiabank Arena in a regular-season game before the Cup meeting.
That back-to-back set gives Orlando a little early read on what’s coming. But if Leonard is on the floor, the challenge jumps. In the latest episode of the Full Court Magic Podcast, the point was made plainly: the game becomes a lot more demanding if Leonard is active, because Toronto already has a group built around Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett.
As it stands, the Raptors’ young core is about to get a major boost, and that makes Orlando’s Cup opener look far less manageable than it did a few days ago.
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Magic Fans Have A Real Reason To Watch Victor Oladipo Again
Victor Oladipos name surfaced again this summer as the Kings looked at veteran help, and for Magic fans, that alone is enough to bring back a familiar mix of curiosity and what-if. Oladipos NBA journey began in Orlando, where he flashed the kind of two-way potential that made him one of the most intriguing young players in the league before his career took him elsewhere.
Now working his way back from a patellar tendon rupture, Oladipo hosted a workout during Summer League and made his case to general managers in a letter, making it clear he still wants another shot in the league. Sacramento ultimately went another direction, but his presence in the veteran market is a reminder that one of Orlandos notable former guards is still trying to write the next chapter of his career. [Read more 🡒]
Hornets Enter A Risky New Era With One Huge Offensive Question
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The broader offseason backdrop also touches the Orlando Magic, who have their own changes to sort through after a coaching change and a new broadcast partnership for games in certain Florida markets. It is a quieter sort of turnover than a roster shakeup, but for a team trying to keep moving forward in the East, those kinds of adjustments can matter just as much as any headline signing. [Read more 🡒]
Magic Face One Big Backcourt Question With Bane And Suggs
Orlandos offseason has kept the spotlight on continuity, and the backcourt is a big reason why. Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs are heading into their second season together, with the pairing offering the kind of balance every team wants: Suggs bringing the edge and defensive pressure, Bane supplying the scoring and the steady offensive presence that can anchor a possession. The fit looks natural on paper, and the Magic have reason to believe the two can settle into a larger rhythm with another year of shared reps.
The bigger question is how coach Sean Sweeney puts that blend to work in ways that maximize both players instead of forcing either into a narrower role. Suggs has already established himself as the defensive specialist in the group, while Banes availability and scoring consistency last season gave Orlando a reliable base to build around. If the Magic get the spacing, usage and defensive balance right, this backcourt could become one of the defining pieces of their next step. [Read more 🡒]