Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: One thing or another

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Mar 8, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated

169. . (46-21). Previous: . Houston Rockets. 1. team

84. . (25-41). Previous: . Sacramento Kings. 26. team

27. team. 38. . (24-43). Previous: . Orlando Magic

"The Magic are headed for the draft lottery once again, and after an unsuccessful all-defense, all-the-time gambit backfired, Orlando finds itself in much the same position as it was a year ago. There will be some cap space to try and improve the team this summer, with Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton still the building blocks and Mario Hezonja still due for bigger minutes (probably). This has not been the season anyone hoped for, and Frank Vogel is still preaching the cultivation of a winning culture with 15 games to go. They should probably tank."

28. team. 93. . (24-42). Previous: . Philadelphia 76ers

Everything the Orlando Magic hoped would happen this year, obviously did not work out well. The team’s Playoff hopes collapsed pretty quickly. And the floor really dropped out.

If a team is going to fail, fail spectacularly. The Magic have found themselves in line for a top-five pick in a draft that looks pretty good. They are still hoping for some Lottery luck too. It will be intriguing to see how the Magic handle this.

Orlando is not putting any mystery behind it. The team wants to win games in a bid for putting together a winning culture. There is certainly a healthy debate among Magic fans and pundits about what the correct path for this team is. Tanking does have its temptation and its potential rewards — Orlando is 1.5 games behind the Phoenix Suns for the third pick and a half game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Magic are not about to do that on purpose. The reality really is the Magic are not good enough to win too many games. They may fall a spot or two, but they are still going to get a high pick. And the Lottery will still play out how a Lottery plays out.

The fact Orlando cannot turn to younger players — except for maybe C.J. Wilcox — is a bigger disappointment than anything else. The Magic are not likely to jettison their veterans. They are just kind of stuck.