After posting one of their worst NBA Seasons to date, the Orlando Magic hit the reset button, cutting ties with veteran cornerstones Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier, and Aaron Gordon at the midseason mark. Orlando also made a Head Coaching change, firing Steve Clifford and hiring Jamahl Mosley. With this being said, it shouldn’t come as a shock that Orlando isn’t seen as an early contender in the Eastern Conference. Still, the Magic have a young, exciting core that could shock some people as the season goes on. With this being said, here are the opening odds from the Magic’s chances to make the playoffs to their regular-season win total.
Orlando Magic’s Win Total Over/Under: 22.5 Wins
Despite coming off their worst NBA Regular Season since 2012-2013, Orlando’s Win Over/Under Total is quite low. To begin, Orlando missed out on this Win Total last season in an abbreviated 72-game season by one win. Orlando was also decimated by injuries all season long. This season’s outlook is much better, starting with the return of Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac. Both Fultz and Isaac missed the 2020-2021 campaign due to ACL Tears, and are set to make their return this season. Orlando also added top-ten draft picks Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner along with journeymen Robin Lopez through the offseason. Most importantly, the Magic should continue to have “normal” Training Camps and Preseason, which should build Orlando’s team chemistry, something they struggled with last season. To put it simply, choosing the Over on Orlando’s Win Total seems to be a safe bet, even in a tough Eastern Conference.
Odds to Make the NBA Playoffs: No, -10000, Yes, +2200
To no one’s surprise, the odds aren’t in favor of Orlando making a return to the Playoffs. DraftKings Sportsbook has Orlando at +2,200 of making it, while -10,000 of missing the playoffs. Vegas Odds seems to agree, as they put the Magic at +2,800 for making it and -12,500 for missing it. This shouldn’t come as a shock, with the Magic coming off their worst regular season since the 2012-2013 season. Orlando had a nice offseason filled with much-needed acquisitions, but it won’t be enough to take them back to the Playoffs, especially in a competitive Eastern Conference. A more realistic goal would be to make the Play-In Tournament, where they would need to overtake any of the four Play-In teams from last season (Boston, Washington, Indiana, and Charlotte).
Jalen Suggs, Rookie of the Year (+700) and Franz Wagner Rookie of the Year (+3,500)
According to the USA Online Sportsbooks, Suggs has the third-best odds to win Rookie of the Year, as only Cade Cunningham (+250) and Jalen Green (+270) have better odds. Suggs will likely see a ton of opportunities on an Orlando Magic team that may be playing from behind most nights, increasing his stats. Barring injury, Suggs is a high upside pick to win the 2021-2022 Rookie of the Year Award. It is nice to see Wagner make the list, but he’ll likely miss out.
Markelle Fultz, Most Improved Player (+8000)
A prime candidate for this award last season, Fultz will get another chance to win the prestigious award. Fultz’s chances aren’t ideal, as Fultz doesn’t even crack the top-15 best odds. The MIP Award Race is also one of the most competitive races in recent memory, as Michael Porter Jr. (+950), Collin Sexton (+1600), Shai Gilegous-Alexander (+2100), De’Aaron Fox (+2400), and Zion Williamson(+2700) open as clear favorites. Even if everything goes right for Fultz, he seems like a long shot to win the award.
Jonathan Isaac, Defensive Player of the Year (+6000), and Wendell Carter Jr., Defensive Player of the Year (+6500)
Like the Most Improved Player Award race, the DPOY Award race also seems to be a deep one. Despite this, two Magic players make the top fifteen list. Both Isaac and Carter Jr. make the list, with each having around the 17th-18th best odds. Like the ROTY and MIP Award Races, the competition is fierce. Three-time DPOY Rudy Gobert opens as the clear favorite (+380), followed by Ben Simmons (+500) and Anthony Davis (+500). Reigning NBA Champion and MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (+800), and Myles Turner (+850) close out a competitive top-five.