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5 Orlando Magic alum who have next for the Basketball Hall of Fame

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 14: Anfernee Hardaway #1 and Horace Grant #54 of the Orlando Magic oversee the game against the Philadelphia 76ers played at the Orlando Arena on January 14, 1995 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 14: Anfernee Hardaway #1 and Horace Grant #54 of the Orlando Magic oversee the game against the Philadelphia 76ers played at the Orlando Arena on January 14, 1995 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Grant Hill, Orlando Magic, Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons
AUBURN HILLS, MI – JANUARY 14: Ben Wallace #3 of the Detroit Pistons hugs Grant Hill #33 of the Orlando Magic at the Palace of Auburn Hills on January 14, 2005 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The Pistons defeated the Magic 101-94. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Orlando Magic have celebrated three of their own entering the Hall of Fame the last three years. Here are the next Magic alums to get the call.

The Orlando Magic are turning 30 years old this year.

They have already enjoyed quite the history with a strong collection of former players who have worn their uniform. It is a surprisingly deep history especially considering the Magic have yet to win a championship.

In the last three years, especially, Magic fans have gotten the chance to celebrate three of their all-time great players entering the Hall of Fame. They have even had a chance to celebrate some of the players who have made a cameo with the Magic entering Springfield.

Shaquille O’Neal entered the Hall of Fame in 2016 as the first true Magic player to enter the hall. True, his best days were in Los Angeles with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he had four incredible years with the Orlando Magic too. His time with Orlando was iconic for the franchise and he was the first truly impactful Magic player to get the call to Springfield.

Officially, the first Magic alumnus to make the Hall of Fame was Dominique Wilkins in 2006. But Dominique Wilkins spent one largely forgettable season in Orlando. We still count him though — although, do not expect a podcast on him. Patrick Ewing also had a forgettable retirement year in Orlando and entered the Hall of Fame in 2008.

No one remembers those players as Magic players. Not like they do with Shaquille O’Neal.

Or with 2017 inductee Tracy McGrady. He was the first player Magic fans truly could say was known mostly as a Magic player to enter the Hall of Fame.

And then there was Grant Hill entering the hallowed halls in Springfield this year. A moment of reflection on his time with the Magic and what could have been. But also an honor very well deserved.

Looking at Magic history, it seems like the next major time for Orlando fans to celebrate a Hall of Fame induction might end up being Dwight Howard‘s induction five years after he retires.

Fans will argue at this time of year that Anfernee Hardaway should get in. They may have an argument (one we will explore some here).

And the thoughts of who will get the call in 2019 as a finalist at All-Star Weekend in Charlotte and then the final nomination at the Final Four in Minneapolis started almost immediately after last Friday’s Hall of Fame ceremonies ended.

The class for next year includes first-time balloters Shawn Marion and Andrei Kirilenko. It will be a relatively quiet year next year that might help some longtime waiters like Chris Webber (he is kind of a former Magic player), Tim Hardaway and Sidney Moncrief finally get the call they probably deserve.

There will be a few more Magic alums that will get consideration too. It is time to break down their chances.