Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 31: Waiting on the team to change

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Jeff Weltman, John Hammond, Orlando Magic

ORLANDO, FL – NOVEMBER 17: Jeff Weltman and John Hammond of the Orlando Magic during practice on November 17, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

From yoeyz via Orlando Magic Subreddit AMA

"How much time should we give this FO before we start demanding results? I understand they state they don’t want to rush — but we can’t bear another 5 year rebuild to still be in the lottery."

This is a fair question. I field a lot of complaints from fans when I tell them that this management group still needs time to build their team. The response is usually something like “six years is long enough.”

And it is. I get that frustration. It is more than fair to feel that. It sucks as a fan to hear that after five years of missing the Playoffs the team is starting over. At least as much as it can. And Jeff Weltman and John Hammond have repeated the line that they were not here for those previous five years.

For now, I have the same expectation that I had under Rob Hennigan. Just make progress. Get better each year and show that you have a clear direction and you were growing into something.

Just before things fell apart with Hennigan, I actually thought the Magic were on a fine path. They had increased their win total every year and in that year under Scott Skiles, the Magic improved by 10 wins to get to 35. Yes, the team had some clear problems as evidenced by the collapse following that 19-13 start. And I think there were big decisions and risks to take — especially with Victor Oladipo‘s contract coming up. But the team was still on the right path.

The mistake the franchise made there was pushing things in too soon. Orlando thought it was closer than it was and never stayed true to its core. The team never really identified its core and tried to import it through trade (Serge Ibaka) and free agency (Bismack Biyombo). All while committing, it seemed, to the wrong guys still on the roster (sorry, Nikola Vucevic and to some extent Evan Fournier).

Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

For now, the goal for Weltman and Hammond is not to make the same mistakes. I think they are rightfully taking a patient approach and smartly kept Aaron Gordon under contract, especially while they still work to amass talent.

But the clock is always ticking in the NBA. And yes, it is looking like a franchise-record seventh straight year without a Playoff appearance. So Weltman and Hammond have to deliver at some point.

I still do not want to put a time on it. I think that was another mistake the Magic made under Hennigan. I think Hennigan felt forced to push into the center of the table and openly talk Playoffs when the team was not quite ready for it. And the franchise paid the consequences.

But certainly, you would like to see the Magic make the Playoffs or be close by the end of Jonathan Isaac’s rookie contract. The Magic made the Playoffs for the first time with Dwight Howard in his fourth year. That seems like a relatively solid benchmark — especially if that player will be your “star.”

My goal remains progress. Last year was a free year. I would like to see the Magic get to 30 wins this year and keep improving from there as this team takes shape. I think you start asking the serious questions if the team takes a step back for whatever reason.