The Orlando Magic have built a reputation as one of the NBA’s most promising young cores, and that reputation continues to grow with the emergence of two new names in their rotation: rookies Jase Richardson and Noah Penda. While Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs have already made the leap to All-Star-caliber contributors, Richardson and Penda are just beginning their journey-and the early returns have been a mixed bag, but far from discouraging.
Let’s start with Richardson. The No. 25 overall pick in the draft came into the season with some buzz, widely considered one of the potential steals of the first round.
And to his credit, he hit the ground running. Even without a major role early on-thanks to a crowded backcourt-he made the most of his limited opportunities.
Now, with Tyus Jones shipped out at the trade deadline, Richardson is seeing more minutes. The added responsibility has come with growing pains, as his efficiency has taken a dip, but the upside is still very much there.
At 6’1” with a 38-inch vertical, Richardson brings explosive athleticism that jumps off the screen. He’s averaging 5.1 points and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 37 percent from deep.
Those numbers may not leap off the stat sheet, but for a rookie adjusting to a larger role midseason, they’re solid. And with his participation in the upcoming Slam Dunk Contest, Richardson has a chance to put his elite bounce on display in front of a national audience.
Then there’s Noah Penda, the lesser-known name of the two but arguably the steadier contributor of late. Penda has carved out a role in the rotation over the past couple of months, showing flashes of the kind of versatility that could make him a long-term piece in Orlando.
He’s scored in double figures five times during that stretch and is averaging 4.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. His shooting splits-43.5 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-suggest a player who knows his role and plays within it.
Neither rookie has made a seismic impact yet, and that’s okay. This is a team that’s already ahead of schedule in its rebuild, and integrating young talent into a competitive environment takes time.
What’s encouraging is that both Richardson and Penda have shown they belong. The flashes are there-now it’s about consistency, growth, and opportunity.
The Magic earned a “C+” grade in a recent evaluation of rookie classes, but that grade feels more like a snapshot than a final verdict. With more minutes and more reps, both Richardson and Penda have a chance to rewrite that narrative by season’s end.
For a team that’s already rich in young talent, seeing these two rookies find their footing is just another reason to believe the Magic are building something sustainable-and potentially special.