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Locked On Magic: Answering all your lingering Orlando Magic offseason questions

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 30: Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman introduces new Head Coach Steve Clifford during a press conference on May 30, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MAY 30: Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman introduces new Head Coach Steve Clifford during a press conference on May 30, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic did not make many moves, but still kept busy. A coaching change, a new rookie and a big contract leave questions left this summer.

The Orlando Magic seem pretty close to done with their offseason. Their trade to acquire Jarell Martin completed a vital part of the roster, adding some much-needed power forward depth if the team intends to play Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon together. But the roster is beginning to take shape overall.

Is this a roster that will make the Playoffs? That still seems unlikely. Although who knows how things will take shape. Teams can click for whatever reason and get hot and confident in a hurry.

On paper, at least, this feels very similar to the roster that finished last year with 25 wins and the sixth pick in the draft.

That at least netted them Mohamed Bamba, the biggest addition to the team — both physically and in potential impact. But he will remain a project. The other notable addition is probably coach Steve Clifford. Orlando worked around the fringes for much of the summer without a lot of cap room to work with. It means much the same team that won 25 games last year returns for another go.

At least they got to keep the budding Aaron Gordon, wrapping him up on a team-friendly deal.

That amounts to all the major moves the Magic made. Switching Bismack Biyombo‘s contract for Timofey Mozgov‘s contract got a good chuckle out of the CBA community, but it did net the Magic a potential backup point guard in Jerian Grant.

Otherwise, the team had to learn what it could from Summer League from several important players and make some marginal roster decisions.

To say the least, the Magic will be evaluating things once again and looking to grow key players — especially Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba.

There is still a lot of time before training camp starts and a lot of questions the team will have to answer.

But as things quiet down this summer, there are still some lingering questions about the makeup of the team and the decisions made this offseason. Now seems like a good time to recap all the events that happened this offseason and look forward to the future.

On the latest episode of Locked On Magic, I chatted with Stuart Hodge to answer his questions from the offseason and hopefully gain some insight on what to expect when the team reconvenes in the fall.

On This Episode:

  • What Steve Clifford will bring to the Orlando Magic in establishing their culture
  • What the Charlotte Hornets did well under Steve Clifford and what he can bring to the Orlando Magic
  • What impressed about Mohamed Bamba at Summer League
  • Will Mohamed Bamba have to live up to the Orlando Magic’s legacy at center
  • What changed about Jonathan Isaac at Summer League
  • How Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon will pair together
  • The competition within the Orlando Magic’s roster this coming season
  • Did the Orlando Magic make a mistake not signing Isaiah Thomas?
  • What does the trade market look like for Terrence Ross and Nikola Vucevic?
  • What is Evan Fournier‘s trade market looking like this coming season?
  • What can the Orlando Magic expect from Wesley Iwundu and Melvin Frazier

Next: Orlando Magic hope early season success closer to reality

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