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Orlando Magic
Aug 28, 2025 10:42 PM EDT
One of the teams that addressed their top concern this summer was the Orlando Magic. During the 2024-25 season, the Magic struggled with shooting from the 3-point range. In the playoffs, they were exposed as veteran forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had difficulty finding his stroke against the Boston Celtics.
The veteran shooter averaged five points on 26.1% from deep in the opening round of the playoffs.
As soon as the offseason started, the Magic traded KCP to the Memphis Grizzlies, together with Cole Anthony. Orlando acquired Desmond Bane, a top shooter in the NBA. Throughout his career, Bane has never shot below 38% from downtown. The former TCU star shot 39.2% from deep last season.
The Magic also added Tyus Jones to the roster as the backup point guard for Jalen Suggs.
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Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero and forward Franz Wagner. — Source: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Fred Katz Predicts a Top 3 Finish in the East For the Magic
After seeing the Magic’s promise in the previous season, many believe they will only become better. The Athletic’s Fred Katz went as far as to write about Orlando finishing in the top 3 in the Eastern Conference.
“I will fight through temptations to say the Atlanta Hawks, and answer with a team I believe will finish top three in the East: the Orlando Magic,” Katz wrote.
Katz pointed out that staying healthy will be important to the Magic. If they remain healthy, the NBA insider predicts that the Florida-based franchise will win often.
“The Magic are physical. They whack the souls out of their opponents. If you miss ’90s basketball, you should be tuning into the slugfests in Orlando. If they stay healthy, they will win and probably often.”
The Magic have a bright future with the forward tandem of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. The addition of Bane gives the team more offensive firepower, which will allow the two young forwards to have another option on that end.
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Reign Amurao