In 2009, the Orlando Magic lost a much closer series in the NBA Finals to Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers than you remember. In 2010, the Orlando Magic lost to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. In the 10 years since, the Orlando Magic have won a total of 5 playoff games. 2 in 2011, the last Dwight Howard series in which Agent 0 Gilbert Arenas contributed 8.6 points per game on the way to being upset in the first round by the Atlanta Hawks. 1 game in 2012, Dwight was hurt so Glen “Big Baby” Davis led the team with 19 points per game. 1 game in 2019, in which DJ Augustin hit this shot that will forever make him an Orlando legend against the eventual champion Toronto Raptors. 1 game last season in the bubble, Nikola Vucevic and “the Giannis Stopper” Gary Clark combine for 50 to upset the top-seeded Bucks in game 1. Great Magic memories have been even fewer and far between than our postseason wins during this 10 year stretch. Along with the DJ dagger, we Magic fans have had this Tobias Harris buzzer beater against a stacked OKC Thunder team, Aaron Gordon came in 2nd in a couple of dunk contests, much maligned Markelle Fultz had a triple-double against Lebron and the Lakers, and we had an amazing Shaq and Penny 30 For 30 episode.

So, winning hasn’t happened too much, but this season can be much different. Let’s take a deep look at what could truly be a…magical…season. You see what I did there?

New Look Magic?

There has been a surprising amount of turnover with the Orlando Magic since leaving the bubble earlier this season. With DJ Augustin in Milwaukee and Jonathan Isaac out for season due to injury, the Magic will have a few tweaks to make in the upcoming season. The first will be letting former number 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz, who has shown growth in his time in Orlando, run the offense. Fultz gives the Magic a PG who can create off the dribble, run the pick and roll, pull up from mid-range, and if rumors are true has a returning 3-point shot. If he can rise to the next step as a player, approximately 16pts, 7asts, and 4rebs per 36 minutes, the Magic can easily return to the playoffs.

With Isaac out, we have 2 potential starters to fill in. Both James Ennis and Al-Farouq Aminu are currently injured so there are only two realistic options. The first candidate to start, is newly signed Dwayne Bacon. In just 3 preseason games, Bacon has been shooting a semi-respectable 33% from deep while averaging just under 12 points a game. As a former college teammate of Isaac, Bacon still has a ceiling he hasn’t yet reached. He played for Coach Clifford as a rookie so he’ll have instant familiarity with the system, and has the size to switch to multiple positions defensively. The dark horse to start the season would be rookie Chuma Okeke. The first rounder didn’t log a minute last year due to injury, but in 3 preseason games he’s averaged 6 a game shooting about 42% from 3, and has flashed great instincts. Both options offer upside and defensive versatility so this feels like a win-win.

Youth and Shooting?

Speaking of changes, the Orlando Magic have brought in an influx of youth and shooting this offseason. Okeke as mentioned previously, can stretch the floor as a versatile forward. 2020 first rounder Cole Anthony has displayed instant offense prowess off the bench and can score at all 3 levels. Gary Clark is a sniper. Everyone in Orlando’s rotation besides Khem Birch is a threat from deep. With shooters to space the floor, Fultz and AG will have plenty of space to slash, and if his shot improves, Fultz and Vucevic can combine for a deadly pick and roll combo.

UPDATE: Since starting this Cole Anthony dropped 19pts including a floater to take the lead, and two free throws to ice the game in the Magic’s 4th preseason game. It’s a Cole World we’re all privileged to be living in.

Best Case for The Magic

Some order of Milwaukee, Boston, Toronto, Brooklyn, and Miami will more than likely be the top 5 seeds in the East. If chemistry issues and injuries rear their ugly heads with Philly and Indiana, there’s a good chance the Magic could be sitting pretty for the 6th seed. If Fultz levels up, Vuc stays at the all-star level, and complimentary pieces can shoot consistently, the Magic can easily be a Katy Perry-esque Dark Horse. Ideally Orlando can steal a series, and attract a FA from next year’s class when some cap room opens up. The Magic also have intriguing trade pieces to throw into potential deals moving forward so this team has nowhere to go but up.

Worst Case for The Magic

There is also a world where Orlando can easily take a step back and miss out on the playoffs. Philly could click with their improved shooting. Oladipo could return to form for the Pacers. Washington could do damage with Beal, Russ, and their intriguing young talent. Atlanta added some veteran pieces to a potent young offense. Charlotte could be galvanized by the addition of odds on favorite to win rookie of the year Lamelo Ball. If everything falls into place for these teams, the Magic could potentially regress. If you pair all of these team’s improvement with a combination of: AG and Fournier’s continued stagnant play, Fultz only incrementally improves, Bamba gives nothing off the bench, and Isaac’s injury decimates last year’s top 10 defense, the Magic can easily drop out of the playoff hunt even with the expansion of the play-in tournament. The silver lining is this draft is LOADED, so even the worst case for Orlando could lead to a boon moving forward. An Orlando group heading for the lottery could shed salaries and acquire pieces for the future. Regardless, hope springs eternal in The City Beautiful.