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Early win projections see Orlando Magic making small improvements

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 16: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the Boston Celtics on March 16, 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 16: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the Boston Celtics on March 16, 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic are not likely to make the Playoffs this year. But they seem very likely to improve off last year’s disappointing 25-win season.

The Orlando Magic were not able to make a ton of improvements this offseason.

The team was capped out and did not have any salary coming off its books. The team had some room but had to use it to re-sign Aaron Gordon. And then Jeff Weltman decided not to be aggressive with the team’s nontaxpayer mid-level exception, spending roughly $2 million of the $8 million available to find new players.

That does not bode well for a team that won just 25 games last season in a disappointing setback.

The Magic did add some intriguing players — most notably sixth overall pick Mohamed Bamba. Otherwise, the team worked on the fringes recognizing the team still had a lot of growth to go with several young players.

Getting players like Jonathan Isaac (27 games last year) and Terrence Ross (24 games last year) back from injury will undoubtedly help. Both were major contributors to the team before their injuries. The season turned south when they went out.

Injuries were a major reason why the team struggled last year and saw their 8-4 start quickly collapse.

No one expected the team to maintain that start. But the odds of the team falling out of the Playoff picture so completely after that were very small.

To say the least, expectations for the Magic are once again pretty meager. Even among Magic fans, the team does not seem like a Playoff-caliber team. The belief going around is the team is starting to have a clearer direction and more hope for the future.

Just do not tell new coach Steve Clifford that. Being the optimistic coach that coaches have to be at this time of the year, he asks why can’t the Magic be the team that surprises the league. And perhaps they can. The start of a season should bring a wave of optimism and hope.

But realistically, the Magic are still a growing team and are still likely a little ways away from true contention. Success is likely measured in growth not in wins. Although the wins would be nice and a tangible sign of improvement.

The schedule is not out yet, but plenty of people are already thinking about how the Magic might perform.

Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report posted BetOnline’s early NBA over/unders for the upcoming season. Predictably, the bookmakers are not too keen on the Magic, but still project an improvement:

Getting to 30 wins would be a nice improvement from last year. But obviously, it would show the team still has room to grow and improve. Under those projections, the Magic would finish 12th in the Eastern Conference and 10 games out of the final playoff spot.

Thinking about it, a five-win improvement feels about where the Magic might finish this year in a solid and successful season. The oddsmakers usually give a line that makes gamblers think about what they are doing. This certainly does that.

Other projections seem to agree that Orlando is due for some improvement this year.

Kevin Pelton of ESPN Insider updated his statistical projections for this season, tweaking it after some notable miscalls last year.

He has the Magic at 33.6 wins, citing the likelihood that individual internal development will help the team improve on its mark.

Those 33-34 wins would put the Magic five games out of the final Playoff spot in his projections.

If the Magic were able to get to more than 30 wins after last year’s season, that would be quite the improvement for the team.

It all seems to point to a year where the Magic make some clear improvements as a group. There are certainly sign this will happen.

Jonathan Isaac should make a leap from his rookie year to his sophomore year. And that is on top of having him back healthy.

Adding a veteran back like Terrence Ross healthy should also help the team improve. Aaron Gordon will have another year under his belt to gain confidence and continue to grow his game. Mohamed Bamba promises to make some impact for the team off the bench.

That does not even get into the reliable production the team gets from Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic. Or from Jonathon Simmons.

And Clifford is well known for instilling discipline in his teams that ultimately lead to more competitive games and the chance to win.

Next. Steve Clifford's simplistic goals will set Orlando Magic on right path. dark

It all points to things moving in the right direction. Even if this is not the year for the team to make that major breakthrough.