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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag: Waiting for the season…

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Orlando Magic mascot Stuff the Magic Dragon entertains during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Amway Center on November 19, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Manuela Davies/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Orlando Magic mascot Stuff the Magic Dragon entertains during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Amway Center on November 19, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Manuela Davies/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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The Orlando Magic’s offseason is nearly complete as the team adds one more player in free agency. With the action over, it is time to open the mailbag.

The Orlando Magic did not promise a dramatic offseason this year like they did last year. How could they after spending so much last year and getting such little result. Orlando needed some time to reconfigure things after their 29-win disaster of a season. That might be what this season is for.

That did not mean the Magic did not do a good job beginning that reshuffle.

The summer represented some opportunity to begin that change. They may be subtle changes, but they could help the Magic lay down deep roots. That is what this season is about.

Things will inevitably still shift. Jonathon Simmons, Jonathan Isaac and Shelvin Mack will not change the team’s fortunes immediately. They are moves that will help the team in the long run, building a program and an identity. And maybe one day growing into something the team can build on for further on in the future.

Jonathan Isaac certainly has that potential. The sixth overall pick is a growing player who has the potential to develop into something special. But his development curve is much longer than everyone else. Even in this respected draft class.

And adding a player like Jonathon Simmons will help bolster the Magic’s defense too. He is the kind of player that pushes other people up with his effort, changing the game. That is the kind of player the Magic were looking for this offseason — culture builders.

This season was at least about laying the foundations for the team’s future.

The Magic will still be shuffling the deck throughout the season. It is a long year, after all. The players Jeff Weltman inherited may not be the players he ultimately wants. It is still about finding the right deals and building the Orlando Magic team he wants to build.

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Orlando Magic

Only the beginnings of that team are in place.

Other pieces may present themselves already on the roster. Aaron Gordon is expected to take a big step up in the final year of his contract. There may still be hope for Elfrid Payton.

And overall, the Magic hope stability can improve the team’s ultimate results.

Those are all questions the Magic will have to answer this year. Questions that may take several years to answer fully. But the team seems set to begin that journey.

Pending this upcoming Marreese Speights signing, it appears the Magic are just about done with their free agency haul. The team seems set to go into camp with virtually the roster it has now.

So it would seem a good time to open up the Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag to answer your questions about the Orlando Magic questions.

You can submit questions in the comment section below, by leaving a comment on our Facebook page, on Twitter by tweeting at me @omagicdaily or by e-mail at omagicdaily@gmail.com.

Next: Jonathon Simmons carries opportunity, risk

I look forward to answer your questions!