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5 non-Orlando Magic storylines to watch during the 2023 season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Wendell Carter has established himself as a consistent force for an Orlando Magic team finding its identity. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Wendell Carter has established himself as a consistent force for an Orlando Magic team finding its identity. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic
Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield is a favored target on the current NBA trade market. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

5 non-Orlando Magic storylines to watch

The next star to deal

Perhaps, the biggest debate throughout the offseason for the Orlando Magic (at least after the draft and who to take with the top pick) was whether the team should push its chips in and go after Donovan Mitchell.

You will find good arguments on both sides of the conversation and it very well may be a road not traveled moment for the team. Whatever the arguments were for or against it, the Magic decided this was not the time to push the chips in and go for it with a player of that caliber.

Maybe this year’s team will make that look a bit silly. Maybe a player like Mitchell would be the one that could take this team from nice, young team to a playoff team.

The Magic seemed content to let it sit and figure that out rather than take the risk that this was the moment and this was the player.

Mitchell is on the Cleveland Cavaliers now and seems to be the piece they need to go from young playoff team to a potential contender.

The argument a lot of fans made was that the opportunity to get a young player under a long-term contract like Mitchell would not come around again. That specific part might be true. But the reality is also that there is always another star that becomes available for a trade. This is the NBA.

After years of resisting trading CJ McCollum, the Portland Trail Blazers dealt him to the New Orleans Pelicans last year. The Sacramento Kings shocked everyone by dealing Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers.

The point is, something always pops up and changes.

So while the Magic may not be in the running for the sharks that seem to be circling the Washington Wizards and Bradley Beal or the Oklahoma City Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, some opportunity will emerge.

The question is which one will the Magic bit one and when will the team feel ready for it?

That is certainly one of the questions the Magic hope to answer this year. But every league executive needs their ear to the ground to figure out what that next opportunity will be.

The Magic were among the betting favorites in the Mitchell sweepstakes if still a decent dark horse. They are in a good position to make that trade when they are ready to do so. It will just become about timing and opportunity.