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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag: Looking ahead to 2019

By Philip Rossman-Reich

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 9: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic fights for position against Vince Carter #15 of the Sacramento Kings on March 9, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 9: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic fights for position against Vince Carter #15 of the Sacramento Kings on March 9, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic are done this summer and there were not a lot of changes to a 25-win roster. I am sure that spurs some questions. Let’s open the mailbag.

The NBA is about to go quiet. The last rush of trade moves is going down as Summer League has ended and everyone will get their chance to go on vacation. Players are scattered across the country (mostly in Los Angeles) and they will not likely come back together until September.

Sure, several Orlando Magic players might get together for some semi-organized group workouts like they did last year. But for the most part, the summer activity for the team is over. They will not be doing anything of significance most likely.

Then again, just about anything can happen.

President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said even during Summer League the Magic are likely done with their transactions this offseason. It left the team with precious few new players to improve a team that won 25 games last year.

Mohamed Bamba is the biggest addition through the draft. But the other newcomers — Jerian Grant (via trade), Isaiah Briscoe (via free agency), Melvin Frazier (via draft) and Timofey Mozgov (via trade) — do not project to make a huge impact. Unless they surprise and exceed expectations.

For sure, Magic fans expected for much more dramatic change. Anything to change the team’s outlook after six years in the Playoffs.

There are surely those still upset the team did not sign Isaiah Thomas. There is certainly a section of fans upset the team did not fully explore trades for Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier. There are certainly fans who think the team should be pushing all in to make the Playoffs and do not want to hear about patience after six years lost in the wilderness.

Jeff Weltman and general manager John Hammond have simply gone about their business. They did little moves because they had little maneuverability to make. It feels like they are still cleaning up the mess left to them. And, as Weltman repeatedly says, they are not looking for quick solutions. They are looking for the right ones.

That means they are not making moves to make moves. They are looking for the right moves.

At least this summer revealed the kind of players they like. Drafting Mohamed Bamba to add to their selection of Jonathan Isaac showed the team prefers length and defensive versatility. That appears to be the direction the Magic see the league going and that is the direction their roster is trending.

The offense will remain a problem. But the hope is clearly that new coach Steve Clifford will implement a defensive mentality and culture that will transcend that and keep the team competitive.

There are obviously still a lot of issues for the team to work out. And a lot of questions to answer.

The unfortunate thing for fans is we will not be able to answer many of them until the team comes back together in September.

But that is why I am here. With the summer activity mostly over, it is time to open up the Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag once again. Submit your questions to me on Twitter @omagicdaily, in the comments below or by e-mail at omagicdaily@gmail.com.

I will come back and answer your questions in about a week!

Next: Orlando Magic building something different, but familiar

You can also check out my answers to some questions on the Ask Me Anything I did with the Orlando Magic Subreddit page a week ago.