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2017 Orlando Magic Preview: Eye on the Playoffs

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Sep 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel, center Bismack Biyombo (11), center Nikola Vucevic (9) and forward Serge Ibaka (7) pose for a photo during media day at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel, center Bismack Biyombo (11), center Nikola Vucevic (9) and forward Serge Ibaka (7) pose for a photo during media day at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder, Chris Bosh, Miami Heat
Jan 17, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) looks to pass the ball while guarded by Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

1. The Big Moves

The Orlando Magic’s offseason was one big move after another that changed the shape and picture of a franchise carefully rebuilding in the last four years.

The process really began in February when the Magic traded Tobias Harris to the Detroit Pistons for Brandon Jennings’ expiring contract and Ersan Ilyasova (playing on a partially guaranteed contract). The Magic sent a clear signal they were intending to make a big splash in free agency.

That would come, but it was not the first big splash they made. It was not even the second.

The first was the surprise resignation of Scott Skiles as head coach. Scott Skiles has a reputation as a coach, but he somehow both elevated the Magic (19-13 through December) and cratered them all in one season (2-12 in January and out of the Playoff race by the All-Star Break). This usually takes a few years to occur when Skiles is the head coach.

Orlando ended up moving quickly and scoring a major upgrade in coach Frank Vogel. Vogel was the coach that led the Indiana Pacers to five Playoff appearances in six seasons and established one of the best defenses in the league.

The Magic had a coach with a defensive identity and cash to spend. There was a big summer ahead for sure.

Then the Draft happened. Orlando made the biggest deal of the evening as they acquired Serge Ibaka for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and Domantas Sabonis. The Magic had their prized rim protector but it cost them the former second overall pick and potentially budding star.

In free agency, they went on a spending spree.

They bolstered their bench with D.J. Augustin and Jeff Green (on a one-year deal, so that $15-million salary is ridiculous but not awfully ridiculous). The Magic added veterans to support their roster as they re-signed Evan Fournier too.

Then they signed Bismack Biyombo, doubling down on rim protection but also sending their $17-million man to the bench behind Nikola Vucevic.

The Magic spent a lot of money, but did not get any crazy impact veterans. Ibaka will certainly help their defense, but it seems like they duplicated a lot of their talent in trying to force an identity. And it is extremely unclear how the pieces will fit together.