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7 players the Orlando Magic gave up on too soon

By Luke Duffy

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 13: U.S. Team's Elfrid Payton #4 of the Orlando Magic reacts with U.S. Team's Victor Oladipo #5 of the Orlando Magic during the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of the 2015 NBA Allstar Weekend at the Barclays Center on February 13, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 13: U.S. Team's Elfrid Payton #4 of the Orlando Magic reacts with U.S. Team's Victor Oladipo #5 of the Orlando Magic during the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of the 2015 NBA Allstar Weekend at the Barclays Center on February 13, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons answers questions from journalists during practice for game five of the NBA Finals.(Photo by Robyn BECK / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons answers questions from journalists during practice for game five of the NBA Finals.(Photo by Robyn BECK / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) /

7 players the Orlando Magic gave up on too soon

3. Ben Wallace

Ben Wallace is the second Detroit Piston to appear on this list, although, unlike eventual teammate Chauncey Billups, he did suit up for the Orlando Magic.

During his 81 games with the team, Wallace more closely resembled the likes of Dewayne Dedmon and Kyle O’Quinn. There was little belief he could go on to have the Hall-of-Fame career that he did.

Again had he stayed put, the organization likely never gets Dwight Howard. But in that reality, they would not have known any better anyway.

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To have had the chance to pair Ben Wallace and Chauncey Billups with Tracy McGrady (for a stretch), Mike Miller and whatever else would have come their way, would have been interesting indeed. It would have certainly saved some heartbreak in the 2003 Playoffs.

We cannot just say the Magic would have become the Pistons of that era who were Eastern Conference finals regulars.

But they certainly would have had some more postseason success themselves.

Wallace would go on to be a four-time All-Star after leaving town and is as beloved in Detroit as just about any former champion is by that fanbase.

With the Magic having never won it all, and with a difficult history with Dwight Howard and Shaquille O’Neal ensuring there will always be baggage there, the perfect hero was staring them right in the face.

Only they never realized what they had, with Wallace going on to play for 11 more seasons after departing the Magic.