3 overreactions to the Orlando Magic getting the first-overall pick

3 overreactions to the Orlando Magic getting the first-overall pick: 1. Contention within the next five years

No, this is not a joke. The Magic now has a young core that lost many games last year, but they picked up valuable experience. In theory, they are going to draft a player this summer that will have All-NBA potential if all goes well. They already have a center in Carter Jr. who has drawn comparisons to Al Horford, and Wagner looked like their best rookie in years last season.

Anthony is a fan favorite, Fultz will get better, and Suggs can only go up from what was a pretty disappointing first season for him. One that was made even worse by the fact Scottie Barnes, whom the Magic could have taken and fans were glad they did not in favor of Suggs, ended up winning Rookie of the Year with the Toronto Raptors.

Head coach Jamahl Mosley is in it for the long haul, and the organization has cap flexibility if and when a mid-tier star decides they want to try something new with an up-and-coming team. Perhaps even a disgruntled star in another small market like Donovan Mitchell. You never know.

There are more draft picks to come, and the Magic are being run by a smart front office. Armed with a first overall pick, there are no clouds in their immediate future. Time is on their side to get this right, and they have a fanbase that has suffered so much that they will buy into whatever version of this team that is formed. It already looks more promising than what came before it.

So yes, contention in the next five years should be the goal. Getting back to the playoffs in two years would be a great start before the inevitable trials, tribulations, and setbacks that come with being a young team in the postseason. It wasn’t looking too bad for the Magic, but after this news, the acceleration towards a brighter future is well underway.