Magic season preview: The youth team regains health and makes a comeback, Bane helps the two-star target in the second round

Review of last season

From the 20-21 season to the 23-24 season, the Magic maintained a strong upward momentum for four consecutive years, with wins increasing year by year from 21, 22, 34 to 47. However, the momentum came to an abrupt end last season for only one reason, and that was injuries. The Magic's good start last season was interrupted by varying degrees of injuries to Benqueiro, Wagner Jr., Suggs and Wagner. In the end, they only achieved a record of 41 wins and 41 losses. They qualified for the playoffs with seventh place in the Eastern Conference. This also caused them to run into the defending champion Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. Although they won a game with the league's second-best defense, they were eventually eliminated in the first round.

Offseason operations

Contract extension: Banqueiro (contract extension), Wagner (5 million in 1 year)

New aid additions: Bain (trade), Tyus Jones (free agent) Signed)

Draft: Jace Richardson (25th overall), Noah Ponda (32nd overall)

Leaving the team: Cole Anthony (trade), Pope (trade), Harris (free agent) Leaving the team), Houston (leaving the team as a free agent), Corey Joseph (leaving the team as a free agent)

The Magic did not wait for the free market to open before completing the team's most important signing of the offseason. They reached a deal with the Grizzlies two days after the draft, using Cole Anthony, Pope and four unprotected first-round picks in the future as well as a first-round swap right, and paid a lot of money to get "muscle shooter" Desmond Bane. In the first five years of his career, Bane averaged 17.8 points per game and made 2.6 three-pointers with a 41% three-point shooting rate. He is a very reliable outside firepower. It is a huge improvement for the Magic, which was last in the three-point league last season (11.2 field goals per game, 31.8% field goal percentage). In addition, he has averaged 5 assists per game in the past two seasons, enough to become the third ball-handling point besides Banqueiro and Wagner Jr. Although the Magic sent Cole Anthony and veteran Pope in the trade, their losses were not significant. Although Cole Anthony had an outstanding performance last season, he overlapped with Suggs and Bane. After Suggs returns to health, he will not have many playing opportunities. Although Pope played a key role in the two championships of the Lakers and Nuggets, he was obviously out of tune with the Magic. Last season, his three-point shooting percentage dropped to 26.7% in the playoffs. His three-point shooting percentage fell to 26.7%. His contract of 43 million yuan with two seasons left has also become a negative asset.

After the free market opened, the Magic and star player Banqueiro completed a five-year early contract extension with a contract of 239 million. This is an operation that does not need to be considered. Last summer, they renewed Wagner's five-year, 224 million contract in advance. A total of nearly 500 million has been spent for two consecutive years, leaving a core for team building for many years to come.

In addition, the Magic also signed veteran backup point guard Tyus Jones. The 29-year-old veteran has played in the league for 10 seasons. Last season in the Suns, he averaged 10.2 points and 5.3 assists per game, and his three-point shooting rate also reached 41%. His ball-handling ability, off-ball three-pointers, and veteran experience are very suitable for this young Magic.

Current lineup:

Guards: Bane, Suggs, Jones, Anthony Blake, Jeter Howard, Jace Richardson

Forward: Benqueiro, Wagner Jr., Silva, Isaac, Jamal Kane (two-way contract)

Center: Carter, Wagner, Bitadze, Orlando Luo Binson (two-way contract)

New Season Preview

The Magic already had the possibility to hit the top half of the Eastern Conference last season, but coach Benqueiro averaged 29+9+5 in the first five games of the season and suffered a torn right oblique muscle. Since then, frequent injuries to many players have suspended the Magic's upward momentum for a season. The new season is the best opportunity for the Magic. From within the team, they have a more reasonable lineup. The lineup of Banqueiro, Wagner Jr., Bain, Suggs, and Carter Jr. is both offensive and defensive. These five players are all on the rise, and their personal performance is expected to continue to improve. The addition of Bain gives them better space, and both Banqueiro and Wagner Jr. can have greater room for breakthroughs. From an external perspective, the injuries to the Celtics and Pacers' leaders have given the Magic, Knicks, Cavaliers, Pistons and other teams the possibility of breaking out of the Eastern Conference. If they can get rid of last season's injuries, the Magic are expected to occupy a top-four spot in the regular season.

Record Ranking Prediction

For the Magic in the regular season, 50 wins would be a more reasonable expectation. Last season, the Pacers won 50 games in the Eastern Conference, ranking fourth in the Eastern Conference. They made it out of the Eastern Conference as a dark horse and reached the finals, only one win away from the championship. Of course, for the Magic, it is too ambitious to break out of the Eastern Conference right now. What they need to do is to play every game well, develop good winning habits, and break through the first round first.