The Orlando Magic have built a reputation as one of the NBA’s most promising young cores - and that future just got a little brighter. With Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs already carving out All-Star-caliber careers, the Magic are now seeing their latest rookie duo - Jase Richardson and Noah Penda - begin to make real noise in the rotation.
Despite not picking until No. 25 in this past draft, Orlando may have found two legitimate contributors in Richardson and Penda. And with injuries continuing to test the Magic’s depth, both rookies are stepping up at the right time.
Let’s start with Richardson. The son of former Magic fan favorite Jason Richardson, Jase was selected 25th overall and entered a crowded backcourt that already featured Suggs, Markelle Fultz, and Cole Anthony.
Early on, minutes were hard to come by. But as the season progressed - and with Suggs battling through injuries - Richardson has started to carve out a role.
Over his last five games, he’s averaging 9.4 points in just over 15 minutes per game while knocking down 41.2% of his threes. That’s not just efficient - it’s impactful.
For a rookie guard still getting his feet under him, Richardson’s poise and shooting touch have been impressive.
Zooming out, his season averages - 4.6 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists on 48.6% shooting from the field and 42.9% from deep - might not leap off the stat sheet, but they tell the story of a player who makes the most of his minutes. He’s not just out there filling space - he’s contributing, and doing it with confidence.
Then there’s Noah Penda, the 32nd overall pick and a versatile forward out of France. Penda’s game is all about energy and versatility. He’s seen slightly more consistent floor time than Richardson, averaging 11 minutes per game, and he’s made them count: 4.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists on 47.5% shooting overall - and a scorching 47.8% from three.
His breakout moment came in a recent win over the Utah Jazz, where he turned in a stat-stuffing performance: 13 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks in just 24 minutes. That’s the kind of do-it-all box score that turns heads - and earns trust from coaches.
What makes both rookies so valuable to this Magic team isn’t just their numbers - it’s how they’re fitting into the team’s identity. Orlando has built a roster around length, defensive versatility, and basketball IQ.
Richardson and Penda check all those boxes. They’re learning on the fly, but they’re doing it with maturity beyond their years.
At just 20 years old, both players are still scratching the surface of what they can become. And with the Magic continuing to battle through injuries, these rookies aren’t just stopgaps - they’re part of the solution. The team earned a “B+” grade for its rookie class, but if Richardson and Penda keep trending upward, that grade might need a revision by season’s end.
Orlando didn’t have a lottery pick this year, but they may have landed two rotation-ready players anyway. That’s the kind of draft success that can quietly elevate a franchise from playoff hopeful to long-term contender.