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Orlando Magic trade deadline: Where the team stands before a big offseason

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jalen Suggs has not quite burst out with stardom in his rookie year. But he still figures to be key to the Orlando Magic's future. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Suggs has not quite burst out with stardom in his rookie year. But he still figures to be key to the Orlando Magic's future. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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AUBURN, AL – JANUARY 19: Jabari Smith #10 of the Auburn Tigers sets up a shot against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second half at Auburn Arena on January 19, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL – JANUARY 19: Jabari Smith #10 of the Auburn Tigers sets up a shot against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second half at Auburn Arena on January 19, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic Post Trade Deadline Status

The Draft Pick

Beyond seeing Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz return to the court and the continued improvement from rookie players this season, the Magic’s season is more or less written.

The team is pretty much eliminated from the playoff race — the Orlando Magic are seven losses or seven Atlanta Hawks wins from official elimination. They are in the heat of the race for the top lottery odds come May.

The Orlando Magic have the worst record in the league entering the All-Star break after the Detroit Pistons stunned the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. The Orlando Magic are six games clear of the Oklahoma City Thunder for a bottom three spot and the top odds to win the Lottery.

It will be an intriguing race. Made more intriguing by the fact the Magic have the 10th-easiest schedule in the NBA after the All-Star Break and a home-heavy schedule at that — 15 of the final 22 games will be played at Amway Center.

Orlando has every motivation to win to help foster the team’s identity and development moving into next season. But the team also has every motivation to maintain its place at the bottom of the standings.

The Magic have had some really interesting development from their young players. But it does not feel like the team has a clear-cut star to get there. So the team still needs an influx of talent and to get another draft right to solidify its core and begin moving forward next year.

The college season has brought in some clear separation. According to Chad Ford, the Magic’s preference is to take Jabari Smith of Auburn with the top overall pick. He seems to have separated himself as the top guy.

But Orlando will have options in the group right below him in Duke’s Paolo Banchero, Gonzaga (and close personal friend to Jalen Suggs) Chet Holmgren and Purdue’s Jaden Ivey. There will surely be a few late risers.

A lot of this season for Orlando and what the team can plan to do next year will rely on the luck of the Lottery.

But the Magic need to hit on the draft in a big way once again. That is the only way the team moves to the next phase.