It was an offseason of change for the Orlando Magic this summer. After the fire sale at the trade deadline during the season, it was clear that the rebuild was in full force for Orlando.
In comes new head coach Jamahl Mosley along with lottery picks Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner.
The offseason wasn't filled with groundbreaking moves for the Magic but given what their blueprint is during this rebuild, this was a good first step.
Grade season is here and it's time to fully evaluate what Orlando did this offseason.
Orlando Magic's offseason grade: B+
Given the roster alignment for the Magic at present time, some may wonder how they received a B+ for the offseason. The entire situation needs to be taken into perspective.
The Magic traded Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic at the NBA Trade Deadline during the season. That was a clear cut indicator that a rebuild would be taking place. All three were mainstays with Orlando and helped get the franchise to the postseason numerous times. They were also far and away the three best players on the team.
This wasn't the summer for the Magic to overpay for some tier two or tier three free agents and they didn't. For that, they should be applauded.
Jamahl Mosley took over as head coach after he spent the last 15 years as an assistant with the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers and most recently, the Dallas Mavericks.
Mosley's name had swirled for years a head coaching candidate and now he will finally get his shot. On the surface, it looks like a real good hire for the Magic now they just need to see the blueprint followed by the results. It's another move that for now, looks like Orlando deserves credit for.
In the NBA Draft, the Magic held two lottery picks; their own (No. 5) and the Chicago Bulls' (No. 8) following the trade of Nikola Vucevic.
Orlando used the No. 5 overall pick on Jalen Suggs, the dynamic point guard out of Gonzaga. Many thought he would go No. 4 to Toronto.
Suggs is an exceptional facilitator and plays such a smooth game with the rock in his hands. His shooting isn't top tier but it's still real good. He's one of those prospects that it's hard to envision him being anything less than a really solid starter for the next decade plus. The ceiling is high as well.
With the No. 8 pick they took Franz Wagner, a forward out of Michigan.
Wagner is super skilled and flat out doesn't make mistakes. He isn't going to wow anyone with his athleticism but he's a good catch-and-shoot option from the perimeter and he's extremely savvy on the floor. He knows where he needs to be and what his assignment is at all times.
Some might categorize both picks as “safe” pick for Orlando but there is plenty of untapped potential in both that the Magic hope to unleash.
In free agency, Orlando stayed quiet, signing Robin Lopez to sure up the front court and they added Franz' brother, Moe Wagner as well. Neither are flashy moves but that wasn't the point of this offseason for the Magic. The rebuild is a grind and it will be critical for Orlando not to fumble steps along the way.
It was a quiet offseason in free agency for Orlando but that was the point. There's plenty of reason for optimism with some of the young guys on the team including a front court that now features Suggs, Cole Anthony, R.J. Hampton and Markelle Fultz. That's not too bad of a group to build around.
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