For the past three seasons, a Southeast Division team has been always qualified for the Conference finals to the East. In 2019-2020, the Heat then they even reached the Finals. Two years ago it was the turn of the Hawks by Trae Young surprise the Sixers in the second round before surrendering only to the future Bucks champions. While last year Butler and associates came to only one basket away from reappearing again at the Finals.
However, not everyone has such ambitious goals. The Southeast Division is divided into three: two teams ready for the Playoffs, two teams on which hovers an aura of mediocrity and yet another that has started a new path full of high hopes.
Orlando Magic
If the 2021/2022 Orlando Magic season had in effect the Year 0 label of the new project, that ’22 / 23 seems to bring with it, finally, the air of a new beginning. A new beginning with an all-Italian flavor and which gives a name Paolo Banchero. The Magic, after a season of tanking unbridled just looking for the highest possible position at the lottery, were rewarded by the luck of the draw. And as a dowry came Paolo Banchero who is a candidate to be, in effect, the main offensive pivot of the team.
Banchero’s call, as well as certainly bringing many new Italian fans to the franchise, will solve one of the longest-standing problems of these Magic: Mark. The data of the 2021/2022 season are certainly influenced by the tanking and by the quality of the roster which is not exactly top-level, but they are nothing short of emblematic: Orlando finished in penultimate place in the league for points scored per game: 104.2, ahead of only the Oklahoma City Thunder, 38.2% from the field. This is also a tremendous figure to say the least, the 28th in the whole NBA. In short, the Magic are in desperate need of someone who knows how to throw it in. And no one, in the last Draft, could guarantee this to the team better than our Paolo Banchero.
????8 points in 24 ‘in the preseason debut for Paolo #Banker
????This dunk can be seen#nbareligion— NbaReligion.com (@NbaReligion) October 4, 2022
As we told you in the last Road to Draft, when Banchero was not yet the first official choice (but in the smell of being one), the former Duke winger, right in college, showed what he is able to bring to his team . Repeating baskets and points, the ability to create shots from the dribble and being perfectly comfortable in the role of main scorer of the team. For the Magic, for these Magic, a real godsend. And she shouldn’t worry hers either shot selection, sometimes not quite the best. Orlando’s next season will be without too many pretensions in terms of results but practically focused only on team amalgamation: a perfect environment to be able to afford a few more forcing and file down one’s flaws.
On the other hand, it is not that Banchero’s future teammates are experienced and aware players, far from it. The Magic have a core of young quite interesting and the next few seasons will serve as a stepping stone. Many on the roster are called upon to confirm themselves. One of them is Markelle Fultz, first choice in the 2017 Draft, which automatically means carrying a pointed target that indicates “under examination”. The early years in the NBA were complicated to say the least, but Fultz showed flashes of great talent to the Magic. The unknown is always one: the physical condition. If he remained intact, the former Sixers would bring great leadership to the team, along with Cole Anthony.
Also for the “confirmations” chapter, we also expect them from people like Franz Wagner, who even entered the discussion on the “Rookie of the Year” at some point last season, which ended at over 15 points on average. The talent of 2001 in Berlin is beyond question, as we could also see at the last EuroBasket: 16.1 points and 4.0 rebounds on average, with the peak of 32 scored against Lithuania. Then there is the unknown factor Jonathan Isaac, returning to the field after 26 months. An eternity: the last appearance dates back to the Orlando bubble, in full pandemic. Two serious injuries to his left knee have severely undermined the player’s career, who is now finally ready to return. Hopefully a little more will also come from Jalen Suggs, fifth overall pick last year who paid a lot for the first season among the professionals. Curiosity also about Wendell Carter Jr, who should have the spot of 5 starter and that in preseason gave very good sensations.
In short, the Orlando Magic are a large group of young people with high hopes. From the high-level confirmations of the old and new arrivals, Banchero above all, most of the team’s fortunes pass. Nobody expects next season to be a good one to qualify for the Playoffs or Play-In: most likely, the Magic will still be present at the next lottery, but in all probability in a much lower position than the first. The 2022-2023 vintage will be that of growth, confirmations, the explosion of talents and integration among young people: this is what the Orlando Magic hope to achieve, which for the first time in some time can finally look to the future with high hopes.
