Orlando Magic 2012-13 NBA Preview
Hedo Turkoglu is having his worst season in his 12-year NBA career. (Photo/Keith Allison/Flickr)
Orlando Magic
2011-12 Vitals:
37-29, 3rd in Southeast Division, 6th in Eastern Conference
94.2 PPG/93.4 OPP PPG
2012-13 Roster:
Arron Afflalo – SG
Gustavo Ayon – PF
Glen Davis – PF
Christian Eyenga – SF
Moe Harkless – SF
Justin Harper – F
Al Harrington – PF
Josh McRoberts – PF
E’Twaun Moore – G
Jameer Nelson – PG
Andrew Nicholson – PF
Kyle O’Quinn – PF
J.J. Redick – SG
Quentin Richardson – SF
Ishmael Smith – PG
Hedo Turkoglu – SF
Nikola Vucevic – C
Offseason Additions:
Arron Afflalo, Moe Harkless, Nikola Vucevic, Al Harrington, Andrew Nicholson, Gustavo Ayon, Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga, Kyle O’Quinn
Offseason Subtractions:
Dwight Howard, Ryan Anderson, Jason Richardson, Chris Duhon, Earl Clark
Projected Starters:
PG – Jameer Nelson
SG – Arron Afflalo
SF – Hedo Turkoglu
PF – Glen Davis
C – Gustavo Ayon
Season Outlook:
The post-Dwight Howard era has begun in Orlando, and it’s not going to start well. Financially, they will be in better shape once Hedo Turkoglu’s contract is done, but in basketball sense, they’re still a few years away.
With a few young pieces like Arron Afflalo, Moe Harkless and Andrew Nicholson, the Magic can start to re-build their squad. The problem is, none of the players on the roster are potential franchise guys.
The first-round draft picks they received in the Dwight Howard trade are all lottery protected, so they’ll have to depend on their own pick if they want a top selection. It might be best to tank this season in order to achieve that, but right now the 2013 draft looks weak. It’s going to be a long season in central Florida.
Best-Case Scenario:
The Orlando Magic win the lottery and find a potential franchise player to pair with their young core. If they did their best to compete, I still don’t see more than a 30-win ceiling for this team.
Worst-Case Scenario:
They play poorly and implode. The rookies don’t pan out and their own draft pick turns sour as they miss out on the top pick in the 2013 draft. Another year in NBA hell and no light at the end of the tunnel.
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