After finishing the 2020-2021 NBA Season with a disappointing 21-51 record, the Orlando Magic will look to return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-2020 NBA Season. While Orlando enters the season with low expectations, the Magic have the talent and depth to surprise everyone this season. A good way to start their ‘playoff push’ is to have early-season success. This may be wishful thinking, as twelve of Orlando’s first seventeen games will be against playoff teams. Fortunately for Orlando, their first game against the new-look Spurs shouldn’t be as challenging. From the return of Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac to the anticipated debut of Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner, here is everything to watch out for throughout the season for the Magic.
Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac Look to Make their Well-Anticipated Return to the Court
For any small-market team like Orlando, it’s a major priority to find Franchise Cornerstone Caliber Players and to lock them up for the future. Fortunately, the Magic did just that with Fultz and Isaac last season. Orlando signed Fultz to a three-year, $50 million extension and Isaac to a four-year, $80 million extension. Both Fultz and Isaac have plenty of room to grow and blossom into future All-Stars. There’s no doubt that staying healthy will be the most important factor. Before tearing their ACLs, Fultz looked like an early Most Improved Player Candidate in the 2020-2021 season, while Isaac showcased his special talents in the NBA Bubble. As long as Fultz and Isaac will be able to compete in the majority of Orlando’s games, the Magic will be a competitive team to look out for in the Eastern Conference.
Will Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba Take the Next Step to Stardom This Season?
Without a doubt, Orlando’s most polarizing players to watch this season are Carter Jr. and Bamba, both of whom were top-ten picks from the 2018 NBA Draft three seasons ago. Entering this season, Carter Jr. and Bamba are trying to take the next step in their development after shaky starts to their career. Bamba will become an Unrestricted Free Agent after this season, so a lot is on the line for him. While Bamba did post his best season to date, averaging 8.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 0.8 BPG, his health remains a major concern. Carter Jr. was also going to hit Unrestricted Free Agency, but has just recently signed a four-year, $50 million extension, so Carter will not be on the move anytime soon.
Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner Will Make NBA Rookie Debuts vs San Antonio on October 20th
After shocking the College Basketball World by hitting an insane half-court buzzer-beater to send the Zags to the National Championship Game, Suggs was moving up NBA Mock Drafts at an exponential rate. This is well-deserved, as Suggs posses one of the most well-rounded games of anyone from the NBA Draft. Suggs is patient, has a great feel for the game, and loves to get his teammates involved. So, with Orlando being able to stay at the fifth pick and select him, everyone knew that this could be the franchise-changing player Orlando’s been searching for since Dwight Howard. Orlando will see Suggs and Michigan’s Wagner take part in their first regular-season action against the Spurs.
Orlando Magic Current 2021-2022 Roster
For a team that was decimated by injuries, Orlando knew that they needed to gain as much positional depth as possible. Entering the 2021-2022 season, Orlando has 22 total players on their roster. It’s also good that a number of these players can switch positions. Here are those 22 players in their primary position:
Point/Shooting Guards:
Cole Anthony, Jeff Dowtin, Markelle Fultz, Hassani Gravett, R.J. Hampton, Gary Harris, E’Twaun Moore, Terrence Ross, Admiral Schofield, Jalen Suggs, Sindarius Thornwell, and Michael Carter-Williams.
Small/Power Forwards: Ignas Brazdeikis, James Ennis, Jonathan Isaac, Chuma Okeke, and Franz Wagner.
Centers: Mo Bamba, Wendell Carter Jr., Robin Lopez, Jon Teske, and Mortiz Wagner.