Orlando Magic Team Review

 

2023-24 Finish: 21-61

 

Season Highlight:

The season’s Highlight would have to be Jarrett Allen averaging 16&15. This team did not have much to celebrate as the year was brutal and what seems like a LOT of moving pieces going in and out, Jarrett provided them stability in the front court along with Zion and there is SOMETHING that Magic fans can cheer about going into next season.

 

Season Lowlight:

Winning 21 games. It’s quite simple really, losing over 60 games, having rostered over 20+ players for the season, it was a long one for the Orlando Magic. They’re looking into this next season for some stability, camaraderie from the players and hopefully wins.

 

Best Trade:

Orlando sends: Grant Williams, Jock Landale, 3 Firsts and 2 2nds

Orlando received: Naz Reid, Walker Kessler, Colby Jones and TPE.

This isn’t the best trade I’ve ever seen but if you’re going to move picks at least get Impactful young guys which they did in Naz Reid and Walker Kesler. And with Naz Reid in an expanded role, I think we’ll be able to see him be even more impactful than he already is. Walker Kesler behind Jarrett Allen isn’t ideal but he now makes Jarrett Allen expendable if necessary in the near future to recoup some of those lost assets.

 

Worst Trade:

Rockets send: A first, Jordan Clarkson and Colby Jones

Rockets receive: Gary Payton II, Peyton Watson, 3 2nds and a TPE.

Not really sure what you’re moving a first for in this situation. I guess maybe you have high hopes for Peyton watson but even then he shouldn’t cost you anything more than an early 2nd. This trade isn’t atrocious or anything, it just seemed to make them worse and then lose out on a asset that could help them rebuild. 

 

Free Agency:

The Rockets were super quiet in free agency last year, opting only to bring back their RFAs and to fill out the 2way slots. Reed, Butler, Bitadze and Champagnie were the guys, and Hinton, Castleton and eventually Ricky Council were the 2way winners.

This year, they have pretty much the same happening on paper with Maxey due to be paid. They will earn a Full MLE however and need to fill at least 4 roster spots, so they will actually make bids this year. Maxey of course is a lock to return as an RFA and everyone else is already signed. Who might they target to fill out those forward slots this year?

 

 

Star:

Zion Williamson

 

 

A star is what Zion Williamson has always been, just a matter of staying healthy for him really.  Needs to find a way to get back to his 22/23 splits of 20 & 9 per game and hopefully they can find ways to get him more shots. He’s shooting over 54% and nothing under 56% in the last 4 years. He’s going to be the one that has to stay healthy and help this team get out of the trenches that they are in.

 

Flop:

Cody Kispert

Kispert is probably the flop on this team. In 41 games with the team he only averaged 7ppg in just 17mins a game and I’m guessing that isn’t all his fault due to the minutes played. Being a younger guy on a team desperately looking for help and wins, you would expect for him to get more burn and get up more shots than he was in last year's season. I think with more opportunities more should be coming from him.

Draft Grades:

Pick 04 – Reed Shepard

Pick 60 - Trey Alexander

Overall Grade: A-

Reed Shepard is going to be a STUD in the NBA. Can score it all 3 levels, should be above a 40% three points shooter and can run the point guard spot. Only reason this is a A- is because I am unsure about his fit next to Cam Thomas. Both not the best defenders, both probably want to get the ball and go get you a basket so I’ll be curious to see how they play next to one another.

 

The Future:

The Magic’s Future I think will depend on the health of Zion Williamson & Jarrett Allen. They should always be competitive with those two. But also the development of their young guys like Cam Thomas, Reed Shepard, Cody Kispert. If the first two guys can grow into the back court and really take control of the scoring and create for the likes of Zion, I think this team can be much better even next year. Role Players like Naz Reid and Keldon Johnson should help this team tremendously and with guys like Maxi Kleber and Walker Kesler ready to go at all times, it’ll be interesting how this GM and Coach gets them all on the court or how they’ll trade to consolidate this roster.

C: Jarrett Allen / Walker Kesler / Olivier Sarr

PF: Zion Williamson / Naz Reid / Maxi Kleber / Simone Fontechchio

SF: Keldon Johnson / Cody Kispert / Peyton Watson

SG: Cam Thomas / Ochai Agbaji / Aj Green

PG: Reed Shepard / Malcolm Brogdon / Gary Payton II