The new Orlando Magic front-office had a very effective, yet efficient offseason. But, they are still playing catch-up in their rebuild. And Tuesday served another reminder.
The 2017 offseason for the Orlando Magic was not splashy. There were no fireworks. No blockbuster trades or juicy rumors. But, with little cap space, the new Magic front office made an impact and were able to improve the team.
Were they able to take a step closer to the Playoffs after five years of rebuilding? That part seems less certain. And more than anything else, that is the part that seems to frustrate Magic fans and the team as much as anything.
Orlando felt that pressure last year in pushing all in to try to pursue the Playoffs. And it seems that effort only put the team further behind.
The truth of the matter is the Magic are still comparatively behind their counterparts in their rebuild. And that came into stark contrast Tuesday when the Boston Celtics, an Eastern Conference finalist last year, acquired Kyrie Irving from the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics started rebuilding in 2014, a year after the Magic started with their trade of Dwight Howard.
It has been a long road for the Magic. And there have been a lot of cars passing them on the rebuilding highway.
At the end of the 2013 season, the Magic had the worst record in the NBA at 20-62. The Magic shared rent in the basement of the NBA with the then-Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns. The Philadelphia 76ers have also gone through a notable rebuild since the end of that season.
Fast forward to 2017, the Magic are still searching for their cornerstone of the future, let alone a trip to the playoffs. Something all those other teams found in the time since.
Granted, the Magic have several nice young players. There is also a lot of warranted excitement around rookie Jonathan Isaac. But the top picks in the last five years have been inconsistent. They have not provided the Magic the base they need to grow.Elfrid Payton is the perfect example of these inconsistencies. Payton managed to become the all-time franchise leader in
Elfrid Payton is the perfect example of these inconsistencies. Payton managed to become the all-time franchise leader in triple-doubles in only three seasons. But he still has not been able to win the confidence of Magic leadership.
While Payton was inconsistent, Aaron Gordon played most of last season out of position. Neither player has met their expectations when the Magic drafted them in 2014. And their poor progression are two huge factors in setting the Magic back.
Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets have made two trips to the playoffs. Kemba Walker has blossomed into an All-Star caliber player.
The new look Cleveland Cavaliers have won a title and remain a contender with swapping Kyrie Irving for a package around Isaiah Thomas. LeBron James‘ return to the franchise he once spurned jump started their rebuild. But so did the the first overall picks in Kyrie Irving and Andrew Wiggins (traded to acquire Kevin Love). And hitting on Tristan Thompson with the fourth overall pick in 2013 helped set them on the right path.
The Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves have all been able to establish at least one player on their roster who has All-Star expectations. In fact, looking at the bottom half of the league from 2013, 12 of the 15 teams have players on their rosters with realistic All-Star expectations.
One of those teams was the Dallas Mavericks who had Dirk Nowitzki leading them for the previous 14 seasons. Even beyond Dirk Nowitzki, Harrison Barnes is paid like an All Star and Dennis Smith Jr. generated plenty of buzz with his Summer League play.
Looking at the last five years for a team like the Suns should frustrate Magic fans.
The highest draft pick the Suns have had since the 2013 Draft is No. 4 (twice) and No. 5 (once). But the Suns were still able to make an impact on their roster for the future both via the draft (Devin Booker, Marquese Chriss and Josh Jackson) and trades (Eric Bledsoe).
This point does not necessarily put to bed the argument regarding the Magic’s lack of luck in the Draft Lottery. But the Magic still passed on Booker in 2015 and reportedly passed on a deal for Bledsoe before he arrived in Phoenix. Those decisions may have made sense at the time, but the Suns are reaping the benefits now.
Orlando Magic
Even though the Magic made no progress and arguably regressed during the Rob Hennigan era, there is a reason for hope in Orlando going forward.
A savvy offseason this past summer by the reshaped front office of Jeff Weltman and John Hammond. The signing of Jonathon Simmons may be the top value contract of the off-season. Previously mentioned Jonathan Isaac has the tools to become an elite NBA player, but it will take time. All Magic fans are hoping that Aaron Gordon can take the next step this season and lead the team to the playoffs.
But currently, the Magic find themselves in a less than desirable place five years into a rebuild. Little cap flexibility with no proven star on the roster. There is
There is a reason to believe the new front office in Orlando is not done making roster changes. But until the right moves happen, the Magic will continue to pay rent in the basement apartment of the NBA.
Next: Nikola Vucevic admits frustration with 2017 season
And others may pass them by.