Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic find themselves in tightening Eastern Conference

By Philip Rossman-Reich

The Orlando Magic look to challenge themselves again facing the Philadelphia 76ers. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic look to challenge themselves again facing the Philadelphia 76ers. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 25: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic on January 25, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

On the outside

Washington Wizards (32-50, 11th East)

The Washington Wizards know they are probably not in a position to tear everything down. John Wall, recovering from an Achilles injury that will probably keep him out the entire 2020 season, has a supermax contract that seems almost impossible to move.

Bradley Beal is good enough to keep the team afloat and Washington does not seem in any hurry to trade him. There is no teardown here. So how does a team keep itself competitive with the kind of contracts they have? This is not a team looking to tear down — at least on purpose.

Washington made some smart risks in going after veteran players on one-year deals. Isaiah Thomas is a solid risk for them to take. If it does not work out, the team can load up with another high draft pick. If it does, Washington maybe has an outside chance at the playoffs.

Atlanta Hawks (29-53, 12th East)

The Atlanta Hawks are one of the trendiest picks to make the leap to the playoff this year. They have done a good job collecting a lot of young players like Trae Young and John Collins. They have a solid up-and-coming shooter in Kevin Huerter. And adding in some veterans like Jabari Parker and Evan Turner will give the team some stability. Not to mention Vince Carter‘s return to that locker room.

Young is already proving to be a very special player. Someone teams have to respect offensively and tailor their defenses to stop.  That is a good building block.

But the Hawks are likely not ready to compete for anything real yet. They will improve no doubt, but they are still a team growing. Unless Young really is a superstar in waiting.

Atlanta is doing the right things. But the team probably needs to gain more experience and solidify depth before planning on the postseason.

Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls /

Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls (22-60, 13th East)

Everyone wants to know when the Chicago Bulls will take a leap. Zach LaVine is a skilled enough scorer and Lauri Markkanen is a promising stretch-big. This team has the young makings of a really nice roster. Coby White is an interesting rookie to add at point guard.

Chicago has become a trendy pick to make that leap into the playoffs — as some team inevitably does. The Bulls have the young players seemingly poised to get there.

But the team still has a lot of questions defensively. LaVine has not played more than 70 games since tearing his ACL in 2017. And this team does not have a lot of depth.

The signing of Thaddeus Young will give the team a good veteran presence and combo to go with Wendell Carter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen. And Otto Porter had a nice run with the team last year. They will pick off a few teams by surprise.

But they are probably not a playoff team yet. Even if they are improved.