Orlando Magic Power Rankings Roundup: Signs of life, even in death
Matt Moore, CBS Sports
41. . (59-14). Previous: . Golden State Warriors. 1. team
Previous: . Atlanta Hawks. 23. team. 125. . (39-36)
team. 38. . (27-46). Previous: . Orlando Magic. 24
"Orlando has been slowly getting worse with its roster decisions over the past 18 months. I am concerned they are on the precipice of making a bad situation worse this summer."
Previous: . Philadelphia 76ers. 25. team. 93. . (27-46)
This is the big decision time for the Orlando Magic, isn’t it? The team had a clear forward trajectory and tons of hope last season in January and then slowly began shifting their strategy and timeline. The Tobias Harris trade was a turning point.
All of Orlando’s plans since then have fallen through, culminating in this disastrous season. It is not just that the Magic failed to make the Playoffs as they hoped. And it is not even just that the team does not seem to have the same long-term assets it once did. The Magic are going to have a tough time digging themselves out. They need players on this roster to click together to have any hope.
All this is to say everyone is expecting a front office shift for the Magic this summer.
The way forward for the magic not clear. They need to hit on their Draft pick this summer — and hope to win the Lottery. But if the team’s goal remains the same and they want to make the Playoffs in 2018, they will need to find the right veterans to complement what players they already have and be shrewd in trades.
It might take a fair bit of patience still to get things right. And the Magic may be farther away from the Playoffs now than they were 18 months ago.
It is an unclear and important summer for the Magic. And the team will have to ask fans for a little more patience. Something that has been in short supply for a few years.