The Orlando Magic hypetrain got derailed in 2024-25 as main man Paolo Banchero got sidelined for nine weeks early in the season. He looked just as good upon returning, but you can’t help but wonder what could’ve been. It didn’t help that All-Defense guard Jalen Suggs went out too.
Now that a new campaign is about to start, though, that hypetrain is rightfully back.
WHAT’S NEW?
The Magic used the offseason to sharpen their identity, adding veteran stability and proven scoring. Tyus Jones arrives to provide exactly what the team has lacked, steady point guard play built on elite ball security and one of the league’s best assist-to-turnover ratios.
In their biggest swing, Orlando traded Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony for Desmond Bane, a high-level shooter and scorer who should immediately ease offensive pressure off Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
The Magic also strengthened their coaching staff, reuniting Jamahl Mosley with veteran assistants Joe Prunty, a three-time champion with the Spurs, and God Shammgod, a respected player development coach. Both bring credibility and familiarity, underscoring Orlando’s commitment to blending youth with experience. It’s a roster and staff designed to accelerate growth without sacrificing the defensive grit that defined last season.
BIGGEST QUESTIONS
Health is the first concern in Orlando. Paolo Banchero appears to have moved past the aforementioned oblique injury that messed up their momentum early in 2024-25, but keeping the franchise centerpiece on the floor is obviously the top priority.
Meanwhile, Jalen Suggs’ absence due to an ailing knee lingers over the backcourt. Out since March 2025 and coming off surgery, he’s only just resumed non-contact drills, and there’s still no timetable for his return.
Beyond health, the spotlight shifts to fit. Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and newly acquired Desmond Bane are all capable 20-point scorers, but sharing the ball effectively will require sacrifice and adaptation. Which star adjusts, and how smoothly, may define Orlando’s ceiling.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
As the saying goes, “The King stays the King,” and in Orlando, that king is Paolo Banchero. Everything runs through him, but how Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane fit alongside him will be fascinating. Someone will naturally fall into the No. 2 role while the other adjusts to being a third option, and that dynamic could define the offense.
Beyond the stars, Orlando needs more consistency from its second-tier contributors like Wendell Carter Jr., Goga Bitadze, and Jonathan Isaac, who tend to flash in spurts but struggle to sustain impact. The spotlight also falls on the 2023 draftees, Anthony Black and Jett Howard. After two uneven seasons, they must start proving themselves as legit rotation guys, or risk becoming expendable as the Magic’s ambitions grow.
REASON FOR OPTIMISM/CONCERN
Optimism in Orlando stems from both talent and energy. The youthful core gives the Magic star power to complement their trademark defense and grit. Add in the experienced voices of Joe Prunty and God Shammgod alongside Jamahl Mosley, and there’s a strong case for internal growth.
The concern, however, is health. Banchero’s oblique injury was a reminder of how fragile success can be, and Jalen Suggs remains sidelined with uncertainty surrounding his return. For a team banking heavily on its depth and development, staying healthy is non-negotiable.
