The theory of the Orlando Magic's offseason was simple: When this team was healthy, it had one of the best starting lineups in the league.
The "healthy" part is carrying a lot of weight there. If that is not in place, a lot of other dominoes start to fall.
Those dominoes fell hard last season as injuries kept hte team from playing at full strength. The Magic enter this season trying to figure out exactly what they have.
While the Magic had the ninth-best lineup that played at least 150 minutes by net rating last year, their bench left a lot to be desired. Orlando finished 26th in the league with 32.6 points per game off the bench, thanks mostly to those injuries
That is not, in and of itself, a terrible thing. The worst 11 teams in bench scoring last year all made the Playoffs. The New York Knicks averaged fewer bench points last year than the Orlando Magic.
But none of those teams faced the injuries the Magic did. And a key part of the Magic's formula for success in the 2024 season was a high-scoring bench -- fourth in the league at 41.5 points per game.
One of the bigger questions for the Magic this season, then, is less about whether the team has a starting lineup that can keep them in games and more about whether the team can find the right combinations to stay competitive throughout the game and increase their lead.
"We've been asked to take that next step," Goga Bitadze said after practice Sunday. "We know we can be top five in defense in the league. But let's take that next step and do it the whole season. We know we can guard. We have to take the extra step where all five of us are guarding and that's where our offense comes from. It's going to work really for us and hard for other teams to play against us. We've got to take the next step, all of us."
Working on combinations and figuring out what the team has is all part of the process in training camp. The Magic are still coming together and figuring out who they have.
Coach Sean Sweeney said he switched up some of the playing groups and teams in Sunday's practice as they continue to lay their foundations and reinforce their identity.
But one thing should be clear: The Magic will need production off the bench to be successful this season.
Adding depth
Being healthy will obviously be the first step to improving the team's depth and scoring.
The Orlando Magic, for instance, lost 4.1 points per game with Anthony Black starting compared to coming off the bench. He averaged 16.5 points per game as a starter and 12.4 points per game off the bench.
Another year of growth for him and a more settled state as the team's sixth man should help him improve his scoring even more. He figures to be a key piece to the team.
Black has been only a partial participant in camp after suffering a sprained ankle in the team's voluntary workouts. But he -- along with Noah Penda, who is dealing with a sore hamstring -- are doing more and caoch Sean Sweeney said both are feeling great. That should hopefully mean they rejoin the team fully soon.
Both figure to be key players for the Magic this season.
The Magic also aimed to improve their bench by adding Nikola Vucevic.
Vucevic averaged 15.1 points per game. He came off the bench after being traded to the Boston Celtics and averaged only 9.7 points per game while dealing with a broken bone in his right hand. Vucevic is expected to be a bigger boost offensively as he comes over to the Magic.
The Magic know they will need everyone on the to succed this year.
"I feel good about [the team's depth]," Sean Sweeney said after practice Sunday. "The guys have done a good job. Numerous guys have shown things that they can do. I'm excited to go into these games and into these practices to continue to develop those combinations. We mixed the teams a little more today to start to get a feel for that."
Those are at least small ways the team's bench has improved. The trick will be figuring out which lineup combinations work best and how to sprinkle starters in with players.
Sean Sweeney said he is leaning on his coaching staff and especially assistant coach Joe Prunty to find out the right combinations to play with. The team has gamed out what certain groups will look like.
That is the challenge with the roster. And the team will inevitably need to adjust as challenges occur during the season.
"The groups look good," Jevon Carter said after practice Sunday. "It seems like there is a lot of chemistry. We're preaching the same things. It doesn't really matter who we are out there with. Just as long as you know what you are doing when you come to play, it should work."
At this stage in camp, Sweeney said the goal is to be purposeful with what they present to the team. Everything will be thought out before it is implemented.
Building confidence
Everyone is still a bit curious how things will come together though. Nobody quite knows what the team will look like when they take the floor against the Memphis Grizzlies for Wednesday's preseason opener.
It has, by all accounts, been a lively and intense practice week.
Many players have said Sean Sweeney has been very detailed and meticulous with his practices. He does not waste much time. It is a loud atmosphere with plenty of encouragement and coaching from coaches and players.
As Jevon Carter put it, mistakes are corrected quickly and it comes from everyone.
"Very small window for error around here," Carter said after practice Sunday. "When you do mess up, you will hear about it. Not just from the staff but also from the players as well. We are doing a great job holding each other accountable. You will definitely hear it if you are not doing what is asked."
It has been a physical training camp. The Magic are hoping to be organized with their defensive rotations, and that has led to more physicality. This is a good defensive team, after all. Or, at least, they believe they can be.
Right now, the team is eager to take it out on someone else and see where they stand. That time is almost here and everyone will see the full extent of this team -- within the parameters set for that first game.
"We are all super aggressive, hitting each other," Bitadze said after practice Sunday. "Confidence-wise, we are all feeling confident. We have put the work in. We trust the coaches, and they trust us. The system is well suited for everybody. That is where the confidence comes from the work and trusting each other."
The Magic are still building their identity. They are still building who will play what role and who will play together. That is part of what the preseason will be for.
Orlando feels like it has a solid starting lineup. Their success will come down to whether the team has the depth to keep the pressure on and make lineups work.
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