The Orlando Magic are coming off their first playoff appearance since 2012 and will be looking to make a return to such play this season. In an effort to maintain their playoff status, they re-signed center Nikola Vucevic and wing Terrence Ross to four-year deals, respectively, while signing forward Al-Farouq Aminu to a three-year, $29 million deal.
Lots of question surround this Magic team. Were they a fluke? Will continuity benefit them? Can they continue to play at a high level defensively? Will their offense take a step in the right direction? Will anyone be shipped out midseason?
Here are five bold predictions for the Orlando Magic in the 2019-20 NBA season.
5. Aaron Gordon will be an All-Star
Gordon has been an athletic and exciting player on a struggling team for the bulk of his career, but last season he was an enormous part of Orlando making the playoffs. He simply played like Aaron Gordon. Whether it be handling the rock, skying above the rim, hitting the boards, or playing high-level defense, Gordon is a two-way player.
He has put forth very productive campaigns through both winning and losing seasons; the 2019-20 season will be Gordon's finest work.
He has showed up in big moments, played fearlessly, and he played well in Orlando's first-round series loss to the Toronto Raptors. The Magic need Gordon to become a star, and he has the upside to become such a player. He has gradually improved in every passing season, and the Eastern Conference is looking for new stars.
Gordon's going to be at 2020 All-Star weekend, but not because of the Dunk Contest; it's because he's going to be in the main event.
4. Jonathan Isaac will have a breakout season
Isaac's first two years in the NBA were a bumpy ride, as has dealt with injuries and inconsistent playing time. But last season he showed off some encouraging aspects of his game, his athleticism and defense in particular. He moved well on both ends of the floor, played with aggression offensively, and played competent on-ball defense.
Isaac's 9.6 points per game last season were underwhelming, at best, but he now has a full season playing in the NBA and in Clifford's offense under his belt; he's going to have a breakout season.
The Magic have a bunch of players who can score in different ways, but they have few, if any, bonafide go-to scorers. Isaac can handle the rock, get inside, and his jump shot should improve with more aggressive play.
He was drafted with the expectation of becoming a franchise player, he has the skill set to fulfill that expectation in a few years, and is going to get better with a larger role.
3. Markelle Fultz will play well, but he won't advance Orlando's offense
The Magic acquired Fultz from the Philadelphia 76ers at last season's NBA trade deadline for Jonathon Simmons, as well as a first and second-round draft pick. With the expectation that he wouldn't take the court for the remainder of the season, the Magic acquired Fultz with the mindset of getting him on the floor to begin the 2019-20 season.
There's a strong chance that he could take the starting point-guard reins from D.J. Augustin, as the Magic need a scoring jolt, and Fultz has the skill set to boost that aspect of their roster. In his brief NBA reps, Fultz has shown a willingness to absorb contact and finish inside while also attacking the rack; this skill set will enhance Orlando's offense.
At the same time, it's going to take some time for Fultz to get into a groove and/or make a monumental impact.
The Magic also have a foundation and players such as Ross, Gordon, and Evan Fournier who can create their own shot.
2. The Magic will trade Mohamed Bamba before the NBA trade deadline
The Magic selected Bamba with the sixth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. The center's fit in Orlando was unclear and remains an enigma with Vucevic re-signing on a four-year deal. Bamba has a lot of potential, but he's never going to fulfill expectations in Orlando. The time is now to make a move.
Last season Bamba was limited to 47 games due to a leg injury, but he was efficient in the time he played, averaging 6.2 points, five rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in just 16.3 minutes per game. The big man is a stout defender, stretches the floor with his perimeter game, and finishes inside.
The longer the Magic wait to trade Bamba, the more his value can decrease. They can pitch teams on how if they acquire and start Bamba, he'll flourish and become a great player. With the Magic, he's stuck behind Vucevic, and having the two bigs on the floor together would slow down their offense.
Meanwhile, if he underwhelms coming off the bench, his trade value will worsen; they're going to act before the NBA trade deadline.
1. The Magic will be the eighth seed and be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs
The Magic have a roster of veterans who came together to play playoff-caliber basketball last season. Vucevic, Gordon, Fournier, Ross, Isaac, Augustin, and Fultz headline a sturdy rotation that should be able to duplicate its 2018-19 success. Plus, with the Eastern Conference being a guessing game at the bottom of the playoff picture, Orlando having familiar faces will work to their advantage in year two of the Clifford era.
At the same time, they're poised to endure another first-round playoff defeat. If they claim the seven or eight seed, the Magic will likely have to face either the Milwaukee Bucks or Philadelphia 76ers — who are each NBA title contenders and the two best teams in the conference.
The Magic should be applauded for growing as a unit, being fifth in the NBA in opponent points per game (106.6) last season, and keeping their core intact. They're an exciting team to watch because of their athleticism and well-rounded play.
But they don't have the offensive firepower to make noise in the playoffs, and they'll be outmatched in the first round.
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