As surprising as it may seem, the Orlando Magic are undoubtedly one of the most improved teams in the NBA. With the sensational early-career dominance of Paolo Banchero and the much-improved play of Wendell Carter Jr, Franz Wagner, Bol Bol, and Cole Anthony, the Magic have been much more competitive than expected. As of December 31st, Orlando is 13-24 and 13th in the Eastern Conference, and are just nine wins away from matching their total of 22 from the 2021-2022 season. This improvement can be attributed to a number of things, but Orlando’s balance of young and developing players combined with seasoned veterans has made the Magic better than expected. From the clear-cut superstar in Tier One to the Potential Trade Candidates in Tier Five and “Everyone Else” in Tier Seven, here is a ranking of every single Orlando Magic player based on their tenure with the team so far.
Tier One: The Unquestioned Superstar
SF/PF Paolo Banchero: Since being drafted No. 1 in the 2022 Draft, Banchero has had a sensational start to his NBA Career, even at 20 years old. In 30 starts this season, Banchero is averaging 34.1 MPG, 20.9 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 3.9 APG, all of which are top-three averages among rookies. In addition, Banchero is shooting 43.5% from the field, 30.8% from three-point range, and 75.5% from the free-throw line while forcing 27 steals and 17 blocks. Finally, Banchero has scored 20+ points in 21 of his first 30 games, showcasing his uncanny offensive dominance that has made Banchero the frontrunner for the 2022-2023 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
Tier Two: The Versatile Star Players
SG/SF Franz Wagner: Following a great rookie season capped off with 2021-2022 All-Rookie First Team Honors, Wagner has arguably played better in his second season in Orlando. In 37 starts this season, Wagner is averaging 33.3 MPG, 19.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 3.5 APG while shooting 48.0% from the field, 34.4% from three-point range, and 87.4% from the free-throw line. While continuing to serve as a solid two-way wing, Wagner has been extremely durable, playing in 116 of his first 119 games, and has recorded 1,232 minutes played this season (13th in NBA). With Wagner’s rookie contract set to expire after the 2024-2025 season, Wagner figures to be an integral part of Orlando’s rebuild for the foreseeable future.
PF/C Wendell Carter Jr: After being acquired from Chicago via the Nikola Vucevic Trade, Carter Jr’s play has taken a tremendous jump in Orlando. In 102 career games (95 starts) with Orlando, Carter Jr has averaged 14.5 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, and 0.6 SPG while shooting 51.8% from the field and 32.1% from three-point range, all career-high marks. From an advanced statistic standpoint, Carter Jr has notched 4.1 OWS, 3.5 DWS, 7.6 TWS, and 2.1 VORP, all of which are noticeable improvements from Carter Jr’s three-year stint in Chicago (3.5 OWS, 3.8 DWS, 7.3 TWS, 0.2 VORP). Although Carter Jr has played in just 18 games this season due to a nagging foot injury, Carter Jr remains one of Orlando’s best young players at 23 years old.
PF/C Bol Bol: Ahead of the 2022-2023 season, it appeared as if Bol was quickly becoming an NBA Draft bust after a myriad of early-career injuries. In spite of this, Bol’s surprising bounce-back season in Orlando this season has quickly shut down the aforementioned narrative, and has Bol in the conversation for the 2022-2023 Sixth Man of the Year Award. In 37 games (32 starts) this season, Bol is averaging 26.1 MPG, 12.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 0.9 APG, and 1.6 BPG on 58.8/38.8/73.9% shooting splits, all career-highs. At 7’2″ and 220 pounds, Bol has been a pleasant surprise for Orlando, and his contract of two years for $4.2 Million is becoming more and more appealing as the season goes on.
Tier Three: The Trio of Young and Promising Guards
PG/SG Cole Anthony: After enduring considerable shooting inefficiency in his rookie and sophomore seasons, Anthony has become one of Orlando’s best shooters in his third NBA season. In 19 games (three starts) this season, Anthony is shooting 43.9% from the field, 34.7% from three-point range, 90.6% from the free-throw line, and 50.3% effective field-goal percentage, all career-highs. While Anthony is averaging just 12.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 4.4 APG, Anthony has cut his TPG down from a career-worst 2.6 last season to 1.7 TPG this season, one of the lowest marks on the team. Similar to Carter Jr, Anthony has missed considerable time with injury this season, but when healthy, Anthony has been a dynamic and efficient scoring guard for the Magic.
PG/SG Markelle Fultz: As a true facilitating guard, Fultz thrives in creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates, evident by his 5.0+ APG averages over the past four seasons. In addition to this, Fultz is a talented three-level scorer, and has seen a tremendous improvement in his shooting efficiency. After failing to make more than 29.0% from three-point range in his first five seasons, Fultz is shooting 36.0% from downtown this season, while also making a career-high 45.2% from the field and 47.9% effective field-goal percentage. Even though Fultz has only played in 16 games this season, his improvements as a passer and shooter brighten Fultz’s future outlook in Orlando.
PG/SG Jalen Suggs: Unfortunately, the 2022-2023 season hasn’t gone to plan for Suggs, the No. 5 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. As a result of a lingering ankle injury, Suggs has missed 21/22 games this season, and has seen Anthony and Fultz each play well in his absence. Fortunately for Suggs, he showed real promise and chemistry while healthy. Before his ankle injury on November 25th, Suggs was playing well, averaging 28.9 MPG, 12.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 5.4 APG, and 1.6 SPG while shooting 41.9% from the field and 29.4% from three-point range in 14 games (13 starts). At just 21 years old, Suggs looks to be part of Orlando’s future, in spite of a rough start to his NBA career.
Tier Four: The Solid Role Players Off Bench
PF/C Moritz Wagner: With the extended absences of Carter Jr and Mo Bamba, Wagner has thrived in his expanded role as Orlando’s starting center. In 18 games (14 starts) this season, Wagner is averaging 25.4 MPG, 12.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, and 0.9 SPG on 49.4% shooting from the field, all career-high marks. Furthermore, Wagner’s Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 17.6 and Win Shares (WS) of 1.4 are among the best by any Magic player this season, a remarkable fact after a turbulent first three seasons in the NBA. Outside of his violent scuffle with Detroit Guard Killian Hayes and Forward Hamidou Diallo on December 28th, Wagner has enjoyed a solid 2022-2023 season amid Orlando’s deep frontcourt rotation.
PG/SG Gary Harris: At 28 years old and in his ninth NBA season, Harris is one of the few veteran players left on the Magic, but has still shown improvement with every passing season. Since being sent from Denver to Orlando via the Aaron Gordon Trade in 2020, Harris has averaged a respectable 27.2 MPG, 10.8 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 1.9 APG on 42.4/38.4/88.2% shooting splits in 90 games (52 starts) with the Magic. After missing the first 15 games of the season with a Torn Meniscus, Harris looked sharp in his return to the court, scoring double-digit points in three of his first six games back, before missing the next eleven games. Currently on a minutes restriction, Harris will look to return to his injury-free form for the surging Magic.
Tier Five: The Major Trade Pieces
PF/C Mo Bamba: Following a career year in 2021-2022 with averages of 25.7 MPG, 10.6 PPG 8.1 RPG, and 1.7 BPG, Bamba was rewarded with a two-year, $20.6 Million contract from Orlando during the 2022 offseason. Since then, however, Bamba has been overshadowed by the improved play of F. Wagner, Banchero, Carter Jr, and M. Wagner. Even playing in 30 games this season, Bamba has notched just five starts and is averaging 18.9 MPG, his lowest since the 2020-2021 season. This would explain his drop-off in production, as Bamba is averaging 8.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 1.1 BPG this season. With the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline looming, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Orlando continue to listen to offers for Bamba, the No. 6 pick in the 2018 Draft.
SG/SF Terrence Ross: After franchise cornerstones Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Evan Fournier all departed Orlando at the 2021 NBA Trade Deadline, many expected Ross to also switch teams. Surprisingly, Ross has remained in Orlando, and played a major role for the Magic with the extensive amount of injuries present. In 33 games (nine starts) this season, Ross is averaging 23.0 MPG, 8.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 1.3 APG on 41.7/34.9/70.6% shooting splits. While currently earning $11.5 Million in the final year of his contract with Orlando, Ross may interest fellow teams around the NBA as a seasoned veteran forward with solid two-way play.
Tier Six: The Developmental Projects
PG/SG RJ Hampton: Upon his arrival to Orlando from Denver via the Aaron Gordon Trade, Hampton was expected to form a dynamic backcourt duo with fellow 2020 first-round pick Anthony. Apparently, that plan wasn’t meant to be, as Hampton has seemingly slid out of Orlando’s rotation, as shown by his request for a G-League Assignment in Lakeland. While playing for Orlando, however, Hampton has posted 14.5 MPG, 5.7 PPG, 1.5 RPG, and 1.4 APG on 43.0% shooting from the field in 24 games. At 21 years old, Hampton has plenty of time to reach his full potential with the Magic, but may be used as an enticing trade piece ahead of the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline.
SG/SF Caleb Houstan: Due to his lack of experience, Houstan has been overshadowed in Orlando’s deep roster, recording just 444 total minutes played (17.8 MPG) this season. As a result, Houstan is averaging just 4.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG, and 0.6 APG on 38.5% shooting from the field and 36.4% shooting from three-point range. Upon receiving playing time, however, Houstan has flashed his talent and potential as a 3-&-D wing, recording a career-high twelve points and three rebounds on 4-8 (50.0%) shooting from three-point range in 26 minutes versus Philadelphia. Once Orlando parts ways with their veteran trade pieces and expiring contracts, Houstan will have a larger role in Orlando’s rotation.
SF/PF Jonathan Isaac: Upon signing a four-year, $80 million contract with the Magic in December of 2020, Isaac was believed to be one of Orlando’s key pieces moving forward. As it turns out, Isaac has yet to play in a basketball game since August 2nd due to serious ACL injuries and setbacks. There’s no doubt that Isaac is a talented two-way wing with superb defensive skills, but his health has been a major detriment to his future in Orlando. At 25 years old, the Magic can still develop Isaac, but may become impatient and use him as a trade piece, similar to the aforementioned Hampton.
SF/PF Chuma Okeke: Following a sophomore year that saw career-high averages of 8.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 1.4 SPG in 70 games (20 starts), Okeke started the 2022-2023 season off strong, averaging 21.8 MPG, 5.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 0.6 SPG in 17 games (eight starts). Okeke even notched a career-high 16 points and nine rebounds against Golden State on November Third. As it turns out, however, Okeke underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his knee and is expected to be out for at least a month, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Therefore, Okeke’s development with the Magic is currently on hold.
Tier Seven: Everyone Else
SG/SF Admiral Schofield and PG/SG Kevon Harris: Although Schofield and Harris may seem insignificant in Orlando’s future plans, both players have carved out important roles as injury reserves, a needed position in the Magic’s lineup. Both Schofield and Harris have been utilized by Head Coach Jamahl Mosley in the face of injuries, playing in 22 and 25 games, respectively. For Schofield, the 2022-2023 season has been a career-defining season, as Schofield is averaging 12.6 MPG, 4.8 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 0.7 APG, all career-bests. Likewise, Harris has played well as a rookie, averaging 12.0 MPG, 3.6 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 0.4 APG while shooting 40.0% from the field.