Orlando Magic: 3 bold predictions for 2018-19 NBA season

1. The Magic make the playoffs

The Magic’s postseason drought continues to creep toward being the longest in the league. To date, it has been six long and painful years since the postseason, with their chances usually toast by around Christmas.

That can all change this season, however, and it should be the end goal for the Magic. More than that, they should be looking at making the playoffs not only as the eighth seed, but higher if they can get it.

This is obviously the boldest prediction for Orlando, but an improving player like Gordon and the team’s own young trio of players in the Eastern Conference is what they should believe in to get them back to the postseason.

More than that, they could also make a run at being the best team in the Southeast Division, and here is why.

• Atlanta Hawks – Figure to be possibly the worst team in the entire NBA next season.
• Washington Wizards – Talent has never fully clicked, plus Dwight Howard is there now.
• Miami Heat – Admittedly still better than Orlando, but the gap is closing.
• Charlotte Hornets – A rebuild looks like it is coming any day now.

Defensively, the Magic will surely be a top-10 outfit this year, maybe even creeping into top five range with a new head coach in Steve Clifford who will want them to get it right on that end from day one. On top of all of that, they have the flexibility to go after some trades if they feel the need to do so.

Even if nothing materializes, one season from Gordon, Isaac and Bamba may be all it takes to convince a mid-tier free agent to sign there next summer. From there, anything is possible. The Orlando Magic are making the playoffs again sooner rather than later, but you better believe it could happen as early as this coming season.