The Orlando Magic entered the offseason as one of the few playoff teams with enough cap space to land significant additions in free agency. Rather than landing All-Stars Paul George or Klay Thompson, the Magic signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and brought back most of their rotational players from the previous season.
While there was some disappointment among fans that the team didn't go for a bigger fish, the Magic largely received good reviews for their offseason. They are banking on their defensive identity and internal improvements.
Nevertheless, some offseason moves could come back to haunt the Magic.
3. Not getting an impactful point guard
Most offseason discussions have focused on the Magic's lack of three-point shooting and playmaking. Getting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and drafting Tristan da Silva should help with the former issue. It does not address the playmaking issue, though.
Orlando lost Joe Ingles, who was one of the better playmakers on last season's roster, in free agency. They also did not re-sign Markelle Fultz and replaced him with Cory Joseph. Joseph is a traditional point guard, but he is not on this roster to play heavy minutes.
So, the Magic are set to go into the 2024-25 season without a traditional point guard in the rotation. Instead, they are relying on improvements from Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black and playmaking from Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
It is worth a shot. If both of the Magic's defensive-minded guards can take significant steps as playmakers, Orlando could improve its offense without sacrificing any of the defense. It is also a risk, though. A traditional point guard, even off the bench, would make life easier for Banchero and Wagner by setting things up and getting them some easy baskets.
Not getting an impactful point guard could very well come back to haunt the Magic. Either the offense struggles so much that the Magic feel forced to make a move at the trade deadline, or the offense stalls out in the biggest moments again.
2. Only getting one new contributor
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was a great addition to this Magic roster. He fits the team's defensive identity incredibly well and adds a capable 3-point shooter to the mix. Caldwell-Pope will space the floor in the starting lineup and hopefully make life easier for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. On the other end of the floor, he and Jalen Suggs form one of the best defensive backcourts in the league.
What Caldwell-Pope does not bring to the table is playmaking and volume scoring. Last season, six Magic players averaged double-digit scoring. Only two—Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner—averaged over 15 points, though.
The Magic do not have a lot of go-to scorers, and when one of Wagner or Banchero is not playing or having a bad game, there is a lot of pressure on the other to carry the offense. Caldwell-Pope should add another double-digit scorer, but not someone who will put up huge numbers or put the offense on his back.
When the offseason first started, two of the favorite targets for the Magic were Malik Monk and D'Angelo Russell. Both would have added a significant scoring punch but ultimately returned to their teams rather than hitting free agency.
Not getting someone like that—someone else who can just go out and get some buckets—might come back to haunt the Magic. Opposing defenses will know that Banchero and Wagner are what gets the Magic's offense going and will make it as difficult for them as possible.
Who else is going to step up offensively in the big games? Can Suggs take his game to the next level offensively? Can Caldwell-Pope put his championship experience to use and provide a safety net for his young teammates? Can Orlando's role players score enough by committee? Or will the Magic need another go-to scorer?
Hopefully, the answer to that first question is already on the roster.
1. Franz Wagner's extension
Opinions on Franz Wagner's new max extension differ. Many fans are just happy that Wagner's long-term future in Orlando was secured, even if it was an overpay. Other people think it was a costly mistake, and many concerns are warranted.
This is a huge contract for a young player, who has not established himself as an All-Star-level player yet and is struggling with his shot.
Wagner's 3-point shooting is certainly a big concern, but he has shown other things, from playmaking to attacking the rim to being an impactful defender. He had some big performances in important games but also some let-downs. Wagner is still going through the ups and downs of being a young player in the NBA.
Despite those ups and downs, the Magic seem certain that he can grow into an All-Star sooner rather than later and live up to the big contract. If he does, it will all be good. The Magic will have secured a great player early on, and Wagner will surely value the trust they put in him.
If he does not reach that level soon, it will cause problems for the Magic. Paolo Banchero will get a max contract next summer, and they still have to figure out a new deal for Jalen Suggs. That is a lot of money and certainly worth paying if the team goes on some deep playoff runs.
However, If one of those expensive players is not living up to his contract, the Magic will have to bring in another high-level player. Those don't come cheap, and if this is the case, Wagner's max contract will limit the Magic's options financially.