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5 teams the Orlando Magic will be fighting for a playoff spot

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 11, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) shoots the ball over Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo (4) during the second half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) shoots the ball over Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo (4) during the second half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic
Feb 14, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) tries to get around Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

5 teams the Orlando Magic will be fighting for a playoff spot

Toronto Raptors

Last Year: 41-41, 9th East
Key Additions: Adrian Griffin (coach), Dennis Schroder, Gradey Dick
Key Losses: Fred VanVleet, Nick Nurse (coach)

In some respects, the Toronto Raptors feel like the slow death of a star. They won their championship in 2019 and will not regret any of the moves they made to ensure they stayed in title contention.

Slowly but surely though, the pieces of that title team have broken apart. They may have expected Kawhi Leonard to leave their orbit fairly quickly. But their plan to reload quickly has not quite come together.

Pascal Siakam is a very good player but never took over the full reigns as the star player to build around. OG Anunoby has emerged as a promising young player. Gary Trent Jr. was a solid acquisition and a good shooter. Fred VanVleet emerged as an All-Star and sharpshooter. Scottie Barnes turned out to be a solid draft pick, although he had a somewhat disappointing second season (still good, but not completely building on the promise of his Rookie of the Year campaign).

The Raptors had all the ingredients to remain a strong team and they remained a consistent playoff presence. But they never returned to title contention. And eventually, they felt like a team spinning its wheels.

And now the wheels are starting to fall off.

Toronto opted to be buyers at the trade deadline even with the risk of losing VanVleet. All that buying got the Raptors the 9-seed in the East and a Play-In Tournament loss to the Chicago Bulls.

VanVleet peeled off this offseason to the Houston Rockets, giving the Toronto Raptors nothing in return. Now trade rumors are ramping up involving both Anunoby and Siakam. Coach Nick Nurse is gone, resurfacing with the Philadelphia 76ers.

So everything is new . . . except a roster that seems ready to hit reset once again.

Until that happens though, you have to consider Toronto a dangerous team. The Raptors are experienced enough and talented enough to remain a postseason team. But it feels like the end is near for Toronto.

For the Magic, they should feel like they can surpass this team and take their spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Magic and Raptors split the season series — with each winning twice on their own homecourt. Orlando should already feel competitive with a team like Toronto. And there is no reason to believe the Raptors’ level is not a floor for the young Magic to reach this year.