To no one’s surprise, the Orlando Magic have endured yet another atrocious NBA regular season, finishing the 2021-2022 season with a 21-60 record and 15th in the eastern conference. Similar to last season, Orlando will get ready to try and make their roster better through free agency and the draft, as they are set to have $30+ million in cap space and have the best odds for the No. 1 overall pick. Before speculating what the Magic may do in the 2022 offseason, it’s worth acknowledging that some of Orlando’s players had some encouraging moments this season. Even though no Magic players are projected to win any major NBA awards, Orlando has their share of players that are deserving of their teams’ awards. With this being said, seven awards were handed out to the most deserving players on the Magic’s roster based on their 2021-2022 season.
Most Valuable Player: PF/C Wendell Carter Jr.
A change of scenery from Chicago to Orlando was the best thing to occur for Carter Jr., as he just had a career year for the Magic. In 62 games this season, Carter Jr. averaged 15.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, all career-highs. Carter Jr. was also a much more efficient shooter this season, shooting 52.5% from the field, 32.7% from three-point range, and 69.1% from the free-throw line. With the extended absences of Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac, Carter Jr. stepped up and served as Orlando’s primary option on offense, as he posted a team-high PER of 18. Carter Jr.’s rebounding numbers were also much improved, as the former No. 7 overall pick collected 648 total rebounds (15th in NBA), 139 offensive rebounds, and 509 defensive rebounds (14th in NBA). It’s worth mentioning that Carter Jr. is just 22 years old, and seemingly hasn’t even reached his full potential yet.
Most Improved Player: PG Cole Anthony
While Carter Jr. may have been Orlando’s best player, Anthony certainly wasn’t too far behind. Like Carter Jr., Anthony experienced a breakout season, as the former No. 15 overall pick averaged 16.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 5.7 APG in 65 games, all of which were career-highs. The real concern for Anthony entering his second season was to be a more efficient shooter, particularly from the three-point line. Although he isn’t completely there yet, Anthony is improving, as he made 39.1% from the field, 33.8% from downtown, and 85.4% from the charity stripe. In addition to his scoring, Anthony has also improved upon his playmaking ability with the extended absence of Fultz. Instead of just looking to score on most offensive possessions, Anthony is now looking to pass to his teammates, which is evident from the 29.0% assist percentage that Anthony posted this season. All in all, Anthony has undoubtedly improved his game by drastic margins this season.
Best Rookie: SF Franz Wagner
Entering the NBA, Wagner was initially projected as a “solid three-and-D wing with great shooting potential” in the NBA. While this has been true, Wagner has blown all expectations out of the water, as he has been one of the most reliable and mature rookies in the entire 2021-2022 draft class. In addition to making 79 starts (first among rookies) this season, Wagner has averaged 15.2 PPG (fourth among rookies), 4.5 RPG (eleventh among rookies), and 2.9 APG (ninth among rookies). Wagner has also been a great shooter for Orlando, as he made 46.8% from the field, 35.4% from the three-point line, and 86.3% from the free-throw line.
Unlike some rookies that have endured major ups and downs in their game this season, Wagner has been a steady source of offense and defense for the Magic all season long. Despite this, Wagner has had some marquee games and moments this season, which include becoming the sixth Magic rookie of all time to have a 25/5/5 game, and becoming the third Magic rookie to have 38 points in a game. To conclude, Wagner has displayed a complete skillset this season and will continue to improve each and every season.
Biggest Disappointment: PG/SG Jalen Suggs
For Suggs, it wouldn’t be an understatement to think that he had quite the tumultuous rookie season. Prior to the NBA all-star break, Suggs was struggling to adapt to the speed of the NBA, and was already plagued with multiple injuries, including a sprained thumb in August and an ankle sprain in April. The injuries and inability to adapt to the NBA have proven to be major liabilities in his game, as Suggs has missed 38 games with injuries, and has committed 3.0 TPG and 3.0 FPG. It’s also worth mentioning that Suggs’ shooting isn’t where it needs to be, as the former No. 5 overall pick has made just 36.1% of his field-goal attempts and 21.4% from downtown. Despite these issues, there is plenty of optimism surrounding Suggs’ long-term outlook in Orlando. In the 48 games he’s played in this season, Suggs has averaged a well-rounded 11.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 4.4 APG. and 1.2 SPG. There’s a lot to like about Suggs and his future in Orlando, but he didn’t live up to the Magic’s expectations this season.
Biggest Frustration: SF/PF Jonathan Isaac
It’s worth noting that this award isn’t based on Isaac’s play in the NBA, but rather on his health and longevity. Isaac was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft for a reason, as he averaged 12.0, 7.8 RPG, 1.2 SPG, and 1.5 BPG while at Florida State. Isaac’s supreme length, versatility and defensive instincts have translated well in the NBA too, as he’s averaged 11.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.1 BPG from 2017-2020. Unfortunately, Isaac hasn’t played for Orlando since August 8th, 2020, when he tore his ACL and Meniscus against Sacramento. While undergoing rehabilitation work, Isaac has suffered multiple setbacks that have held him off the court for the last two seasons. For Isaac to not play for the Magic, it has to be frustrating for the organization. In fact, Orlando may be regretting their decision to have signed Isaac to a four-year, $80 million contract extension.
Biggest Inspiration: PG/SG Markelle Fultz
Like Isaac, Fultz was immediately signed to a three-year, $50 million contract extension after acquiring him from Philadelphia. Fultz did show some promise to his game, but struggled as a shooter, knocking down just 26.7% of his three-point attempts as a 76er. After enduring a solid first season with the Magic, Fultz started out red-hot in his second year in Orlando, averaging 12.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 5.4 APG, and 1.0 SPG through eight games. As we all know, Fultz would tear his ACL against Cleveland, and would proceed to miss the next 14 months of basketball. Instead of sitting out the rest of the 2021-2022 season, Fultz decided to make his return to the court in late February against Indiana. Fultz seemed to pick right back up where he left off, posting ten points and six rebounds and leading Orlando to a 119-103 victory. For Fultz to make a full recovery from a career-defining injury as he did, this certainly gives Orlando hope for the future of Fultz as the Magic’s lead guard.
Good Problem to Have: C Mo Bamba
To put it simply, Bamba’s play is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’ll get. For example, Bamba notched 21 points, 12 rebounds, and six blocks in a 120-115 Orlando win against Cleveland, and proceeds to drop two points, two rebounds, and zero blocks in a 101-128 loss to Charlotte. Even though Bamba’s game logs have fluctuated between both of the extremes, he’s still played at a much-improved rate compared to the prior three seasons in the NBA. This season, Bamba has averaged 10.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 1.7 BPG in 71 games, all career-highs. Bamba has also posted the best shooting splits of his career, as he’s gone 48.0% from the field and 38.1% from three-point range. Bamba’s statistical breakout season definitely puts Orlando in a peculiar situation of extending Bamba or letting him leave via free agency. At just 23 years old, Bamba still hasn’t hit his peak yet, but Orlando has already invested money into Carter Jr. (four-year, $50 million) and Isaac (four-years, $80 million).
Best Veteran: SG Gary Harris
Although Harris is quite overlooked in Orlando, his veteran leadership can’t be understated. Once Harris began to recover from early-season injuries, he’s been extremely reliable and a good fit in Head Coach Jamahl Mosley’s offense. In 61 games this season, Harris averaged 11.1 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, and 1.0 SPG. Even though these stats may not seem impressive, this was Harris’ first season where he averaged at least 11/2/2, something he never did in seven seasons as a Denver Nugget. Like Anthony, Harris has been a facilitator and has gotten his teammates involved rather than just scoring himself without Fultz in the fold. Even though Harris may not return to Orlando this offseason as an unrestricted Free Agent, he certainly provided much-needed offense with the absence of Fultz and was a good source of leadership for Mosley and the Magic.
Most Overlooked: PG/SG R.J. Hampton
Despite having a career year this season in Orlando, there is very little talk surrounding Hampton’s game with the Magic. After being drafted by Milwaukee in 2020 and then traded to Denver, Hampton was later included in the Nuggets’ trade package for Aaron Gordon. Since joining the Magic, Hampton has played well despite a minuscule role, averaging 8.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 2.6 APG while shooting 40.3% from the field and 34.1% from three-point range. Unfortunately for Hampton, he’s often Mosley’s fourth or fifth option in the backcourt, due to the slew of guards ahead of Hampton. This doesn’t go without saying that Hampton filled in nicely when Fultz, Anthony, or Suggs missed time with injuries this season, but Hampton’s promise and potential is seemingly going overlooked due to Orlando’s stacked backcourt.