3 Realistic goals for the Orlando Magic this season
By Luke Duffy
The Orlando Magic must make the play-in tournament
In order for the Magic to validate the progress they are clearly making, they have to at least make the play-in tournament. Actually, making the playoffs proper would represent a resounding success and be proof that Coach Mosley is the right man to lead this team forward.
While not many people are paying attention, consider the following as the core group of players for the franchise right now. Banchero, Wagner, Ross, Anthony, Fultz, Suggs, and Wendell Carter Jr. That is not a bad place to start, and although it is among the youngest rosters in the league, the potential is huge.
When you also consider that the Charlotte Hornets look set to regress, the Washington Wizards could go into a full-on rebuild at any moment and the Detroit Pistons are in a similar position to the Magic (or better), the sky is the limit. Then there is a second group lurking behind that one, and you can bet at least one of the players from this cohort ends up having a say this season:
- Jonathan Isaac
- Bol Bol
- Mohamed Bamba
- Chuma Okeke
- R.J. Hampton
- Gary Harris
That is the whole second group, and that represents the depth that has been lacking in recent years. Fans of teams typically overestimate the ability and potential of the players on their team, but in the case of the Magic, they definitely have something here. Even if Isaac doesn’t turn into a solid rotation player (he has missed the last two seasons), Harris has trade value.
Hampton is still only 21-years-old and has the potential to get better if given a chance. Bol really intrigues, but it remains to be seen if he can get healthy. Okeke was already an intriguing player on a previous iteration of this roster.
Next. Does Chicago have enough to avoid the Play-In?. dark
Overall, the Magic are too good to bottom out entirely, so making a run for the play-in tournament and turning their potential into results should now be their top priority.