The Orlando Magic should have cautious optimism for the upcoming 2018 season. And there are several reasons why looking back at last year.
The Orlando Magic enter the 2018 season with a wave of cautious optimism. At least, that is what fans likely have to tell themselves to believe in this season.
Things, at least, seemingly could not get worse after a 29-win last season.
Orlando entered last year having remade its roster, trading off some young pieces for Serge Ibaka and to create cap room. The Magic did not exactly strike in free agency, but they felt they had forced fit an identity onto the team that could propel them into the Playoffs. The Magic sold this confidence to fans.
That ultimate disappointment led to some massive changes in the front office. And, before that in February, the Magic traded Serge Ibaka for Terrence Ross.
That trade had a massive effect on the Magic, even if it did not show up in the win column after the All-Star Break. The team became a much more cohesive offensive unit and some of the key young players began to blossom.
Listening to players and coaches talk at the end of the season, they preached the team was making progress and heading in the right direction. They could sense the team’s forward momentum and told anyone who would listen they were a better team. It created a small sense of optimism. And gave coach Frank Vogel some ammo to hold the course.
Orlando Magic
Or, at least, gave president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman the ammo to keep the roster steady and work on the fringes without much cap maneuverability this summer.
See, cautious optimism.
There are plenty of signs to suggest this could all work out. The Magic had some small measure of success last year to end the season and the roster is still very young. No starter on the team is older than 27 years old. This is a team that should be getting ready to peak.
Yes, the Magic still lack top-end talent. That will undoubtedly hold Orlando back in some way. But that does not mean the team could see itself improve this year. Potentially to the point of flirting with the Playoffs.
What signs are there to make the optimists get excited for 2018? There are definitely a few to point out.