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3 disastrous mistakes the Orlando Magic must avoid making this summer

By Luke Duffy

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 18: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Orlando Magic talks with coach Jamahl Mosley during the fourth quarter of a game Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on December 18, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 18: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Orlando Magic talks with coach Jamahl Mosley during the fourth quarter of a game Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on December 18, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: Gary Harris of the Orlando Magic looks to shoot against the New York Knicks. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: Gary Harris of the Orlando Magic looks to shoot against the New York Knicks. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

3 disastrous mistakes the Magic must avoid making this summer.

3. Ignore their shooting woes

No matter how the Orlando Magic do this, be it through the draft, free agency or trade, they absolutely need to address the fact that they are not a good shooting team. Failure to acknowledge this and have it fester into next season would be a disaster.

During the season, the Magic ranked 26th in offensive rating (111.3 points per 100 possessions), 23rd in effective field goal percentage (53.2 percent) and 24th in 3-point shooting percentage (34.6 percent).

Their four best players of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Markelle Fultz and Wendell Carter combined, averaged 33.1 percent from beyond the arc. Fultz and Banchero in particular bring that number down, as they fell below the unacceptable mark of 31 percent.

It is not as simple as just drafting two gunners or adding a known marksman from deep through free agency. The players — and there should be at least two of them — the Magic add also need to fit into what head coach Jamahl Mosley is trying to achieve with the Magic.

Already we have examined how Yuta Wantanbe would be an excellent fit. He is also attainable which is a plus. But there are other options out there too such as Pat Connaughton and whoever is on the board when the Magic are drafting such as Gradey Dick from Kansas, Keyonte George from Baylor, Cam Whitmore of Villanova and Jordan Hawkins of UConn.

The regular season featured a whole lot of the enigmatic Bol Bol early on to carry a disproportionate amount of the offensive load, and by year’s end it was Gary Harris who was being relied upon as he shot a scorching 43.1 percent from deep.

Really though these are two players who should never be the main threats, and who should be viewed as impactful secondary options alongside more established scorers. The Magic cannot simply hope Banchero and Wagner get better and need to proactively add better shooters.