Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

3 players the Orlando Magic should cheer for in the playoffs

By Luke Duffy

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Mo Bamba #11 of the Orlando Magic in the second quarter at Golden 1 Center on January 09, 2023 in Sacramento, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Mo Bamba #11 of the Orlando Magic in the second quarter at Golden 1 Center on January 09, 2023 in Sacramento, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings reacts during their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings reacts during their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

2. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

On the one hand, it would be hard for Orlando Magic fans to support Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, because he started out his NBA career as a Magic player. At least for a few hours.

Although he was traded before ever even suiting up for the franchise in one of the worst moves the organization has made in the last 10 years, the prospect of what might have been still stings a little.

Sabonis will likely finish in the top 10 in MVP voting this year and has been the catalyst in helping the Kings back to the postseason for the first time since 2006.

It is not as easy as saying that could have been the Magic instead, and the front office likely would not trade one of Paolo Banchero or Franz Wagner straight up for him if offered.

Where it gets easier to support Sabonis, and the Kings, is because they are all that is good about basketball. A young group adding a savvy head coach in Mike Brown, as well as trading for Domantas Sabonis, and seeing real results while connecting with a long-dormant but eager fan base.

To add to that, the Kings are most certainly a small market franchise, and like the Magic struggle to attract top free agents to come and play for them.

So a victory for Sabonis and the Kings is a win for the future of the Magic and what that can look like. There is no reason the Magic can’t be the next Kings, and what’s not to like about that?