Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Orlando Magic Daily Podcast Episode 73: New Kids on the Block

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 26: Bismack Biyombo #11 of the Orlando Magic talk with media after the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on December 26, 2016 at Amway Center 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 26: Bismack Biyombo #11 of the Orlando Magic talk with media after the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on December 26, 2016 at Amway Center 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Orlando Magic have kept busy this offseason, adding several veterans on team-friendly deals. We sort through all the new guys on today’s podcast.

The Orlando Magic are not giving us much room to breathe in the last few days. The team has made a flurry of reported moves to bring in veterans on minimum contracts in Arron Afflalo and Marreese Speights.

A summer where the Magic were supposed to be relatively quiet, they have been fairly active. The team waited its turn but made good additions in Jonathon Simmons, Arron Afflalo, Marreese Speights and even Shelvin Mack. All seemingly on affordable deals.

And Orlando still has a little bit more to spend — including the team’s room exception.

It has been a whirlwind of moves as the Magic seem to have established a more consistent bench and added some much-needed veteran presence to the locker room. And impact presence at that.

No, the team still has not dramatically changed its starting lineup. There are still some major questions about the team’s offense and where exactly the team will get its scoring.

But largely everyone feels Orlando got better. The new players will help boost the team’s flagging depth. And that does not even get into adding sixth overall pick Jonathan Isaac and what he can do for this team.

The Magic are not that different — the same starting lineup is still there — but not so different. There is cautious optimism about what the team will do.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

Orlando is undoubtedly in a strange place as a franchise. The team is frustrated after a 29-win season and needing some retooling. But there is still that nagging pressure to end the franchise’s longest Playoff drought. The move to add veterans like Arron Afflalo, Marreese Speights and even Shelvin Mack is a signal the team wants to see if it can be competitive next season.

Whether the Magic can or not, is a completely different story. One that will play out in the early part of the season.

There is a long way to go between now and late September when training camp begins and mid-October when the regular season begins. And we are still sorting through everything that went down during the free agency period and exactly how all these varied pieces will fit together.

Just like we are learning about all these new players on the roster, we also got to know some new players on the Orlando Magic podcast scene.

On today’s episode of the Orlando Magic Daily podcast, I chatted with Steven Garlick and Andy Harrington of The Orlando Magic Podcast about the Magic’s offseason and what they see for the Magic this season:

On This Episode:

  • What does Arron Afflalo add to the Orlando Magic
  • What direction are the Orlando Magic heading this season — rebuild or tweaking to compete?
  • How did the Orlando Magic fare this offseason?
  • What is success for the Orlando Magic this offseason? Or even this season?
  • What impact will Jonathon Simmons have on the Orlando Magic and their culture?
  • The difference between Jeff Weltman’s free agents and Rob Hennigan’s free agents.
  • What will the Orlando Magic look like on the court next season?
  • Should the Orlando Magic have gone young with their rotation or were veterans the right move?
  • How do the Orlando Magic project for the long term?
  • Should the Orlando Magic view the Playoffs as a goal? Is tanking the better route for now?
  • How does this year feel like the Heart and Hustle season?
  • Why this is a #ProveIt year for several players on the Orlando Magic.

Be sure to check out the Orlando Magic Podcast on iTunes and SoundCloud. And follow Steven, Andy and the podcast on Twitter @st_garlick, @andyrharrington and @orlandomagicPC.

Next: HoopsHype: Jonathon Simmons one of biggest free agent steals

Also subscribe to Orlando Magic Daily’s daily podcast, Locked On Magic, on iTunes, AudioBoom, Stitcher and TuneIn.