"15. Orlando Magic

Something has to give here. Orlando has the league’s third-highest payroll, a monstrous tax bill, and, not for nothing, zero above-average offensive seasons since Barack Obama was first elected president. Jamahl Mosley was replaced by first-year head coach Sean Sweeney this year. Maybe he will turn everything around. But on the personnel side, Orlando’s answer to a wildly disappointing campaign was … to bring back Nikola Vucevic? What? If Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, or Jalen Suggs gets moved before the trade deadline, don’t be surprised. "

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49894769/nba-future-power-rankings-three-year-outlooks-all-30-teams#orl

Don't deplete the roster for an aging star when you have one --and a core-- firmly in place.

Bleacher Report listed him in the top three "Most Overrated Players in the NBA".

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25457116-ranking-most-overrated-nba-players-right-now

"And for as much as Orlando invested in him (No. 1 pick 2022, five-year rookie max signed last summer), you'd want no doubt evidence of him being a difference-maker. Instead, the Magic have fared better without him in each of his four NBA seasons."

Interesting take by Hill here, though not much personal accountability to be seen. I think I’d want to hear clearance to return directly from my doctor before stepping on the court, not a trainer, coach or agent.

“I think that’s bull—,” Banchero answered. “I’m not going to lie. People are going to say whatever they want to say about me, Franz and whoever. But we know that we’re at our strongest when both of us are out there on the floor. “People say that the ball moves more (when only one of us is out there). I don’t think that’s true, honestly. I think sometimes you beat teams or you play certain games and it may look that way, but if you really watch and analyze, we play the same way every game. Nothing changes when somebody is out. We play the same way, especially on offense. Nothing really changes. I don’t buy too much into that (perception), but it is frustrating to see that and hear that just because, like I said, we’re at our best when both of us are out there.”

NYTimes

There's only one way for the Orlando Magic to reach their true potential

It looks like there are rumblings of Steve Kerr and Golden State having some tensions, if they separated would he be the priority option. I do wonder if he would even move to Orlando.

Bucks receive: Franz Wagner, Jonathan Isaac, Jett Howard, and Orlando’s first-round picks in 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031, with pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 for Giannis.

Would you do this? Is Franz too much to give up for the Greek Freak? FWIW: Weltman and Hammond drafted Giannis in Milwaukee.

I know, who cares? It’s not a big deal.

But we know players read this shi, and the Paolo discourse around the league is so ridiculous.

Our guy goes viral only when he drops a stinker.

That’s why every time I read crazy Paolo disrespect (which is different from fair criticism), I’m gonna step up for my boy.

I know Orlando is getting the games (or most of them) for free. But I just stumbled upon this news story yesterday that Cox is also going to put 70+ Magic games on the air for free in NE Florida and Southeast Georgia (the Jacksonville/Brunswick market) on an HD sub channel of the CBS affiliate it owns.

https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/cmg-expands-local-sports-offering-with-2-nba-deals,263026

This man is legit playoff riser, start believing yall

• The Orlando Magic are calling teams looking to trade backup point guard Tyus Jones for second-round draft capital, Stein says at The Stein Line. While Jones has not fit as hoped with the Magic, he might be a very good roll of the dice by another team.

Source: https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/nba-trade-rumors-2025-26-jonathan-kuminga-demands-trade-ja-morant-eyes-miami-more