The Orlando Magic watched as teams around them got stronger this offseason, and will have to maximize their roster to once again make the postseason.
Over the last couple of years, the Orlando Magic have proven that they are once again a competent franchise. The importance of this cannot be overstated, one look back at the years between 2012 – 2017 makes for some grim viewing. Rosters and games that are best left in the past.
Back-to-back postseason appearances have the organization somewhat back on the map, although they still remain a mystery to most casual fans. Center Nikola Vucevic might be climbing the all-time Magic leaderboard, and he has been an All-Star as well, but as best players on a team go, he’s not the trendiest name out there.
Which is the main concern for the Magic as they come into this 72 game season. They have a solid base, that much we know. But many expected their to be some significant movement around trades, and to a lesser extent free agency signings, during the condensed offseason that has flown by.
Instead the franchise stood firm, while those around them improved noticeably. The Brooklyn Nets and their returning embarrassment of riches have been well documented, but a franchise like the Atlanta Hawks, built around a “cooler” All-Star in Trae Young, made the kind of roster moves that signals they want back in to the postseason.
Other opponents in the division might not strike as much fear into the Magic but make no mistake, this will not be an easy season for them. Point guard Markelle Fultz, fresh off a breakout season of sorts, might be saying the right things. But there is no Jonathan Isaac, and he’s not the only player who is going to be missing for some time. Here are the three biggest goals for the team this year.