Each NBA team’s projected starting lineup for 2023–24
By Cal Durrett
Projected starting lineup: Orlando Magic
Point Guard: Markelle Fultz
Shooting Guard: Gary Harris
Small Forward: Franz Wagner
Power Forward: Paolo Banchero
Center: Wendell Carter Jr.
After a promising 2022–23 season, the Orlando Magic are hoping for a big jump in the standings. There’s a lot of potential for this group, but their offense surprisingly held them back last season. Part of the problem was that they were one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA last season. They finished third from last in the league in 3-point attempts and 24th in 3-point percentage.
That might still be an issue, with only three above-average shooters in their starting five, with Fultz a low-volume shooter, and 2022 number-one overall pick Paolo Banchero not yet hitting those difficult stepbacks. Still, he had a strong showing during his rookie season, and in year two, Orlando will need Banchero to take a big step forward.
The same goes for Franz Wagner, who had a career year and spent part of the summer playing against high-level competition at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Those two players will determine how successful the Magic’s starting lineup and team as a whole are this season.