The Orlando Magic remain a team of mystery around the NBA.
The way president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman operates tends to be quiet and free from the leaks and speculation that feed the NBA trade deadline coverage that gets traffic. Weltman has built a reputation of valuing his team’s continuity, sometimes to frustrating effect.
Everyone around the league knows the Magic are an incomplete team. They need to add something to their team and internal development will not bring it to the front.
The Magic are 29th in the league in offensive rating and have the worst three-point shooting season the league has seen in the last decade – and one of the worst in franchise history. The Magic have a terrifying defense and finishers and All-Stars to anchor their team.
The Magic’s offense is better than its stats. Playing two months without Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner depresses those stats. But it still leaves the same point: Orlando needs scoring and needs offense.
The question has become when do the Magic make their move? When do they push some chips into the middle, break up their continuity and add those critical offensive players?
The trade deadline forces these questions to the front. There is only one week left – Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. – for the Magic to make these decisions on this roster.
Like coach Jamahl Mosley managing players on injury restrictions as they return from major absences, Weltman must manage evaluating what the roster could be against what it is.
Even then, he has to see that the team needs some shooting and offensive push.
The Magic’s list of potential targets is clear.
Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons and Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson are the three players most fans have connected to the team. The Magic could be dark horses to jump into the sweepstakes for bigger-salary players like Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox or Chicago Bulls wing Zach LaVine.
All five of those players would inject some major offensive ability into this team. Beyond concerns for salaries, the Magic would be improved significantly by adding many of these players. And except for the All-Star-level players, they can probably get them with a package centered on Cole Anthony and Gary Harris.
Orlando’s bent on continuity likely means they are not looking to make major changes. They have not seen their starting lineup play together at all this season. And there is tons of promise in what they can do. The Magic want to bolster their bench and offensive punch, especially when they inevitably face injuries.
The Magic are entering a new phase of their rebuild.
They are clearly a playoff team but are moving past the point where they can wait for multiple development projects. They need results.
Whether those are immediate results to make a playoff push this year is the question for the trade deadline. But the Magic need to make a move to push forward and into the contending tier.
Ultimately, Orlando’s future depends on how much Banchero and Wagner improve. But they need help. The team needs something external to get to that level.
The Magic cannot afford to stand still much longer.
