Orlando Magic Daily
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Next steps in rebuilding Orlando Magic: Growth and stardom

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Aaron Gordon looks to continue some stellar play and lead the Orlando Magic to a sweep at the STaples Center. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Aaron Gordon looks to continue some stellar play and lead the Orlando Magic to a sweep at the STaples Center. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards
ORLANDO, FL – NOVEMBER 9: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the Washington Wizards on November 9, 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) /

The Orlando Magic proved they could make the playoffs. How they shape the young roster will rely first on internal improvement to show where they go next.

The Orlando Magic unveiled their new marketing slogan Friday.

Gone is the #PureMagic moniker that never really took hold among Magic fans but was not ever egregiously bad or mocked as previous campaigns were.

#MagicAboveAll is meant to evoke the next phase of the team’s growth and how everyone — fans, the team and the community — came together to make something greater than themselves. That is the marketing push, at least.

The merchandise is already looking nice. But the team also seems to believe clearly the Magic are moving into a new era of the franchise.

The Pure Magic moniker came during the team’s darkest years. Orlando struggled to rebuild and find even a shred of consistency as they went through the lottery ringer.

Last year was a true breakthrough to get to the playoffs for the first time in seven years. It re-energized the Magic fan base and re-ignited confidence in the team.

The question everyone has now is what comes next. How do the Magic take the next step in their rebuild? How do they get to the next level?

There was at least some idle talk among fans about chasing after some of the bigger fish in the trade market. Getting at least to that point was a sign of the progress the team made last year.

But Orlando ultimately opted for patience.

The next step for the Magic in their rebuild is about internal improvement and beyond that finding their star. He may already be on the roster. But that is what the 2020 season will be for.

Orlando does not have designs to be stuck in the “treadmill of mediocrity” in those middling seeds. It is fair to wonder if this team has a much higher ceiling than that as presently constructed.

If last year was proof of concept, the 2020 season will be about testing the limits of this roster. And then determining how best to move forward.