Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Vol. 25: What comes next?

By Philip Rossman-Reich

DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 11: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic looks to pass against the Dallas Mavericks on February 11, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 11: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic looks to pass against the Dallas Mavericks on February 11, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Paul Millsap, Denver Nuggets
DENVER, CO – JULY 13: The Denver Nuggets Introduce Paul Millsap during a press conference on July 13, 2017 at the Montbello Recreation Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

From F. Mercado via Comments

"With our free agency signings having an abundance of playoff experience (assuming [Marreese] Speights is on board), how likely is it that it will translate to pushing the Magic to the level and into the playoffs in a weakened Eastern Conference?"

Time to get right to the point, huh?

I do not think it is crazy to at least start talking Playoffs as a realistic possibility for this Magic team. It is still something of a small chance. I would not go to Vegas and bet on the Magic to make the top eight.

It all starts with how the Eastern Conference has fallen apart this summer.

There are three teams that appear primed to fall out of the Playoff picture because of All-Star players leaving the conference.

The Atlanta Hawks lost Paul Millsap to the Denver Nuggets in free agency. The Chicago Bulls traded Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Zach LaVine, coming off a torn ACL. And the Indiana Pacers traded Paul George to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a return that raises a few chuckles.

Those are three teams likely out of the Playoff picture next year. That means three teams have to replace them.

I still like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks to make the Playoffs. I feel fairly confident the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets will take the next two spots.

That last spot? It should be a free for all.

The New York Knicks (with Carmelo Anthony), the Detroit Pistons, the Philadelphia 76ers and probably the Orlando Magic will be in the group fighting to get the final Playoff spot.

So did the Magic do enough to get themselves there? That is the part that is a big question and depends on a lot of things. I think it is still very difficult to figure out how this team is going to play.

The good news is the way the Magic played to end the season was encouraging. The starting lineup, which returned intact, had a +1.4 net rating in 410 minutes. That is encouraging. The bench lineups last year were really really bad.

So if the Magic have improved their bench, it is reasonable to think the team could take that step up to compete for a Playoff spot. With the veterans they signed over young players, it seems the Magic want to go for that spot. Just do not expect them to sell out for it.

My concerns still revolve around the team’s lack of consistent scoring. And that starting lineup despite that positive net rating was a sieve defensively. An 8-16 post-All-Star Break record should not inspire confidence.

I think the Magic have to get out to a quick start and help set the pace if they want to make a more serious Playoff run.

So call me cautiously optimistic.