Orlando Magic: Will continuity push them to the top in 2019-20?

2019-20 roster

Key additions: Nikola Vucevic (re-signed), Al-Farooq Aminu (free agency), Terrence Ross (re-signed), Khem Birch (re-signed), Chuma Okeke (draft), Josh Magette (two-way contract).

Key subtractions: Isaiah Briscoe (not re-signed), Troy Caupain (free agency), Jerian Grant (not re-signed), Jarell Martin (free agency).

For the Magic, it is as you were, with every major contributor from last season’s team being brought back.

The $100 million over four years for Vucevic seems steep for one reason only. It is unclear who the franchise was bidding against in trying to secure his services for the future. There are plenty of centers in the league today to go around.

Vucevic is coming off his first All-Star appearance though, and at 28 should only be entering his prime now. With five double-double seasons in seven years with the team, as well as being the focal point of head coach Steve Clifford’s offensive scheme last season, it is a case of him being of more worth to the Magic than anybody else.

Bringing back Ross was a great move, and at $54 million for four years it was a good deal too.

He knows his role as the offensive spark plug sixth man off the bench, moves brilliantly without the ball and is the most consistent 3-point shooter they have (if you don’t include the ridiculous 42.1 percent Augustin shot from deep last season which likely won’t be replicated).

Birch too is a fan favorite, was a key part of their defensive revival and run to the playoffs last season and at two years, $6 million was a no-brainer. The only issue there is that it has already been established that he will be the third choice behind Vucevic and Mohamed Bamba, and really he has proven both in Orlando and with Canada over the summer that he is worthy of a bigger role.

The addition of Aminu at three years, $29 million was a shrewd piece of business. He is coming off an appearance in the Western Conference finals with the Portland Trail Blazers, and is an excellent defender. Really the only issue is where he fits, with the Magic having a bit of a monopoly on defensive wings and bigs compared to most teams in the league.

He will likely come off the bench and back up Aaron Gordon, and alongside Bamba/Birch and point guard Michael Carter-Williams should ensure their bench is difficult to score against. The Magic ranked 8th in defensive efficiency last season (107.6), and you have to think that number will improve with Aminu now in the rotation.

Drafting Chuma Okeke and then making him redshirt a year as a result of an ACL injury sustained in college was not met with approval by everybody, especially those believing the organization tried to circumvent rules already in place, but it was the right move for both. Okeke can rehab away from the team with the Lakeland Magic and really there is no space for him in the rotation in the near future anyway.

They already know what they have with their young core of Gordon and Jonathan Isaac, and the hope will be that one of them can take a leap as well. Gordon might be getting mentioned as a potential All-Star this coming season, but right now Isaac looks like he may have the higher ceiling, especially after some promising play last year.

Fultz has received enough attention already, but there’s no doubt he raises the ceiling in Orlando. If he is back and looking even a small bit like a former first overall pick then the Magic are in a great place and will have pulled off one of the trades of the decade. They should still remain cautious though, but even without him, they will be good. The roster and coaching consistency means they should hopefully hit the ground running.