(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports Illustration)
The 2024-25 NBA season begins. We break down the biggest questions, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy prospects for all 30 teams. enjoy!
orlando magic
2023-24 season ends
off season moves
Added: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cory Joseph, Tristan da Silva
Subtraction: Markelle Fultz, Joe Ingles, Chuma Okeke
complete roster
The big question: Are Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner the building blocks of a championship contender?
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is one of the best complementary role players in the NBA. He’s the type of player teams sign after the powers that be are convinced he can actually compete. Just ask the Los Angeles Lakers, who won a championship with him in 2020, or the Denver Nuggets, who won a championship with him in 2023.
Caldwell-Pope joins All-Defensive guard Jalen Suggs in one of the league’s best defensive backcourts. Cole Anthony’s explosive offense and Gary Harris’ veteran presence round out a talented guard corps. So talented was the Magic that they chose not to bring back former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz.
The Magic are similarly deep in the middle, with Wendell Carter Jr., Moe Wagner, Jonathan Isaac and Goga Bitadze collectively providing a combination of shooting, defense and power. Carter may be the best varsity player of all three, but a healthy Isaac could be the best defensive player per minute per game.
Paolo Banchero (#5) and Franz Wagner (#22) got their first taste of the NBA playoffs last season. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Jamal Mosley, last season’s runner-up for Coach of the Year, has options. None of that matters, at least as long as this season lasts, unless Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are ready to lead them.
Banchero was named an All-Star last season at age 21. He averaged 23 wins, 7 losses, and 5 draws with shooting splits of 46/34/73. He has all the tools to be an elite playmaker from the forward position. He hasn’t tapped into that ability yet, but few players have had this much trouble stopping him from getting to the rim at such a young age.
He could improve his overall shooting efficiency, especially on pull-up jumpers, where he shot less than 40% last season (32.8% on threes). Imagine the possibilities if the defense doesn’t know whether to guard his drive or his shot. They’re just like LeBron. He also needs to improve his playmaking to be considered one of the game’s elite No. 1 options, but that’s all within his reach.
Wagner also looked like a potential All-Star candidate at age 21 until he missed a jumper last season. Among heavy shooters, no player has a lower 3-point percentage than Wagner’s 28.1% on 4.6 attempts per game. His confidence was shattered. Still, Wagner averaged 20-5-4 and shot 57.5 percent from the field last season.
The developments of Banchero and Wagner are linked. The more respect one side demands, the more freely the other person must act. And if they have to respect both, they’ll try to rotate their defense to stop the ball and put the blame on Caldwell-Pope, Suggs, and the other shooters around them.
Defensively, Magic was determined. It’s rare for a team this young to perform as well defensively as the Magic did last season. They were big, versatile and played hard for their coach. They had a rock fight in seven first-round games against the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 91.5 points per game with four losses. What’s holding them back is their offense, and Banchero and Wagner are the straws that stir the drink.
In total, he averaged 45.9 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game in the first playoff series. Every team will take it from two players still on their rookie contracts. However, Wagner is scheduled for a maximum extension next season, while Banchero’s contract begins in 2026. Orlando has now negotiated and added Caldwell-Pope to a mostly re-signed supporting cast, as building around them will become more difficult in the coming years.
The Magic are preparing to make the leap, but Banchero and Wagner have to make the leap first.
best case scenario
If the defense remained the same, the Magic’s net rating would have increased to 4.7, which would have ranked them third in the East last season, even with a middling offense. Top 10 offense? That could give the Magic the top seed. They were one win (or a terrible third quarter) away from making it to the second round of the playoffs last season. If Banchero and Wagner fuel the win, and Suggs, Carter, Caldwell-Pope and staff accelerate, a conference finals appearance is well within reach and Orlando will arrive ahead of schedule.
If everything falls apart
Wagner can’t shoot. Suddenly, more serious questions emerged about whether Wagner could be No. 2 on a championship-level team and meet his $224 million contract value. Banchero has stagnated and hasn’t made meaningful progress as either a shooter or a playmaker. No matter how many centers they have, they just can’t find one who can fill the position as a bonafide playoff guy. The defense suffers from a lack of effort, turning winnable games into losses and finding themselves back in the fight for a play-in spot.
fantasy spin
In category format, Paolo Banchero’s market is too high. While he’s certainly worthy of a second-round pick in points leagues, Banchero’s high turnover rate, lack of threes and blocks, and middling free throw percentage have him largely locked into category leagues.
Banchero finished 159th last season, finishing last in All-Star selection in terms of categories. I’m not saying not to draft him, I’m just saying a late third rounder is a long way from his actual value. But if they can get Paolo out of trouble in the playoffs, it could be very interesting.
Be sure to get Jalen Suggs. He’s starting as a point guard and is already making strides as a 3-point threat and lockdown defender, which should further increase his assist rate. Suggs will outperform the ninth-rounder ADP, who is currently sliding toward the 100th pick. — Dan Titus
2024-25 schedule
They won 47 games last season and added Caldwell-Pope. If their young core improves collectively, they should take another leap forward. I think Magic is ready for the spotlight. Please take over.
