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The Orlando Magic believe they are ready to compete for an NBA championship, but can they realistically contend in what projects to be one of the deepest Eastern Conferences in recent memory?
Orlando came within one win of reaching the second round last postseason after building a 3-1 series lead over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. However, the Magic were unable to close out the series after Franz Wagner suffered an injury, ultimately falling short for the third consecutive year in the opening round.
With that in mind, is the current core of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane enough to take the next step? The Magic made few roster changes this offseason outside of bringing back veteran center Nikola Vučević, placing their trust in internal development and improved health to become consistent contenders.
But can they add more?
Veteran guard Bradley Beal remains one of the most interesting names left among the best available free agents, although there are obvious questions and concerns surrounding his health and how much he has left in the tank at age 33 offensively and defensively.
Beal played only six games last season after undergoing left hip surgery, continuing a recent stretch of missed time that has seen him average roughly 42 absences per season over the past five years. That injury history makes him a significant gamble for any team considering adding him, especially the Magic, who have struggled with injury history prior to this season.
However, there is still a potential fit for Beal as a perimeter shooting option the Magic can utilize. While his ability to consistently create offense with the ball may have declined in recent seasons, his three-point shooting has remained effective. Beal shot above 40 percent from beyond the arc over the past three seasons despite an overall decline in production.
For Orlando, the appeal would be giving Beal a smaller offensive role and asking him to lean more heavily into his perimeter shooting. The Magic have continued to search for more reliable shooting around Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane, making Beal's ability to stretch the floor an intriguing possibility.
The biggest concern would be his health and whether he can consistently stay on the floor. Coming off major hip surgery, Orlando would have to carefully evaluate whether Beal can contribute consistently enough to justify the risk of adding him to be valuable on the roster.
Still, if Beal is willing to take a smaller contract and embrace a more specialized role, the Magic could be one of the teams worth monitoring as a potential landing spot.
Join the Community! Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news! It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
Orlando came within one win of reaching the second round last postseason after building a 3-1 series lead over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. However, the Magic were unable to close out the series after Franz Wagner suffered an injury, ultimately falling short for the third consecutive year in the opening round.
With that in mind, is the current core of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane enough to take the next step? The Magic made few roster changes this offseason outside of bringing back veteran center Nikola Vučević, placing their trust in internal development and improved health to become consistent contenders.
But can they add more?
Veteran guard Bradley Beal remains one of the most interesting names left among the best available free agents, although there are obvious questions and concerns surrounding his health and how much he has left in the tank at age 33 offensively and defensively.
Beal played only six games last season after undergoing left hip surgery, continuing a recent stretch of missed time that has seen him average roughly 42 absences per season over the past five years. That injury history makes him a significant gamble for any team considering adding him, especially the Magic, who have struggled with injury history prior to this season.
However, there is still a potential fit for Beal as a perimeter shooting option the Magic can utilize. While his ability to consistently create offense with the ball may have declined in recent seasons, his three-point shooting has remained effective. Beal shot above 40 percent from beyond the arc over the past three seasons despite an overall decline in production.
For Orlando, the appeal would be giving Beal a smaller offensive role and asking him to lean more heavily into his perimeter shooting. The Magic have continued to search for more reliable shooting around Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane, making Beal's ability to stretch the floor an intriguing possibility.
The biggest concern would be his health and whether he can consistently stay on the floor. Coming off major hip surgery, Orlando would have to carefully evaluate whether Beal can contribute consistently enough to justify the risk of adding him to be valuable on the roster.
Still, if Beal is willing to take a smaller contract and embrace a more specialized role, the Magic could be one of the teams worth monitoring as a potential landing spot.
Join the Community! Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news! It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
