The Orlando Magic are having a tough season, and it's been a bit of a letdown for fans who expected more. Once known for their strong defensive identity, they've slipped from second to 14th in the league. While there's been a slight improvement offensively, moving up to 17th, it's not quite enough to shake their long-standing struggles.
Despite injuries, the Magic are still in the playoff hunt, but the pieces just haven't clicked. President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman shared his frustration post-trade deadline, acknowledging the unmet expectations. Yet, he's hesitant to address the big questions surrounding the team's core, citing injuries and untapped potential.
The national media is curious, especially with the Magic ranking 21st in CBS Sports' front office rankings. The concern isn't just about potentially exiting in the first playoff round again or scrambling to avoid the Play-In. It's about missed opportunities to improve on the margins and an overreliance on continuity.
The Magic's core, even when hampered by injuries, is playoff-capable, suggesting a high ceiling. However, the team's reluctance to make small but impactful moves has left them in a tricky spot. Over-investing in players who haven't reached their peaks has added to the challenge, especially with Weltman's contract situation looming.
Winning the offseason but struggling during the season is a recurring theme. The Magic have made some savvy moves since their rebuild in 2021, like drafting Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner. The first pick in the 2022 Draft brought Paolo Banchero, an All-Star-level player who transformed the team into a playoff regular.
After their first playoff appearance in 2024, the Magic made big offseason moves, acquiring top talents like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Desmond Bane to address shooting needs. These moves were initially praised, as was the signing of Tyus Jones, which unfortunately didn't pan out this season.
The Magic's current predicament stems from hesitancy to address critical needs, relying too heavily on internal development. Contracts that once seemed reasonable are now burdensome. Suggs' injury issues make his salary feel excessive, Wendell Carter's extension is a mixed bag, and Jonathan Isaac's contract is a challenge given his struggles.
Despite identifying the need for a point guard, the Magic haven't made the necessary moves. Shooting remains a persistent problem, and the team has been too focused on maintaining continuity rather than making tough decisions to improve.
Big questions loom for the Magic. Will coaching changes be considered?
Weltman has been cautious about trades and likely approaches coaching decisions similarly. There's also chatter about whether to split up Banchero and Wagner, though Weltman seems hesitant to entertain this.
The Magic can't afford to stand still. As they approach the offseason, they'll need to be honest about what they can build internally and what needs to be brought in. They're becoming a more expensive team, and with that comes the expectation to win.
Orlando has made some strong moves but still needs that extra push to reach their goals. The challenge now is finding the right balance to elevate the team to where they want to be.