3 Positional needs the Orlando Magic's depth chart reveals

The Orlando Magic made their breakthrough to the playoffs this season. It was the mark of a successful season and the seeming beginning of a long playoff run for this young team.

They have the key pieces in place with a young star in Paolo Banchero who stepped up on the biggest stage. They have a potential all-star in Franz Wagner, who has grown and made strides in several areas to be the team's second scorer. They have a do-everything role player that defines their culture in Jalen Suggs. They have a coach who had complete buy-in through the early stages of the rebuild and into his first playoffs.

The Magic got to the playoffs and a Game 7. They exited believing they are on the cusp of building a title-contending team.

Everyone seems to understand—including president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman—that this is a big offseason to add to the roster and help the team claim a spot among the top teams in the Eastern Conference. The pressure is on.

The Magic will have somewhere between $30-$50 million in cap room to spend this offseason. There has already been a lot of focus on big names in the free-agent market.

But there is still a need to consider how the Magic make up their roster. The best way to look at the roster is at the depth chart.

The goal for the Magic is still undoubtedly to improve. Orlando could use upgrades and better players at several places in the roster. The Magic's goal should be to replace departing players with better players and let the rotation shake out where it may.

This offseason will not just be about adding a starter-level player to complete and improve the Magic's starting lineup. It is about filling in and improving the rest of the roster. The Magic are not likely using all $50 million in cap room on one player.

So what else do the Magic need to add? The best place to start is by looking at the team's depth chart.

The best place to start to analyze the Orlando Magic is by looking at their depth chart

The Orlando Magic worked with this depth chart for much of the season. They had a solid rotation and comfortably weathered several injuries throughout the year.

But even looking at this depth chart it is pretty clear where the holes might be to fill.

The Magic are likely losing five players this offseason—Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Goga Bitadze, Joe Ingles and Chuma Okeke. Some of the roles left by those players should be taken up by young players improving. So there are spots to fill as the Magic look to fill out their roster.

This cannot be about just signing a big-name player. There are clear needs and clear areas the Magic have to shore up this offseason. They have to build out some more reliable depth to get them through the seaosn and give them a more varied attack in the playoffs.

Starting with the absences we expect this offseason, the depth chart reveals where the Magic need to turn:

Immediately, everyone's eyes rightly moved to that guard spot next to Jalen Suggs. Whether Suggs can play point guard more full-time or the Magic need to add a starting-level guard, this is the biggest need the Magic have to address this offseason.

It is why so much focus is on guards like Tyus Jones or D'Angelo Russell in free agency or even chasing Dejounte Murray or Anfernee Simons on the trade market. There might yet be an idea that has not hit the public consciousness.

But from this depth chart, it should be pretty clear that three needs have to be filled in some capacity this offseason. There is that obvious guard need. Then there is the need to improve and cover the team's wing depth and, finally, to find a third center.

3 positional needs the Orlando Magic's depth chart reveals

3. Starting guard help

The most obvious need the Orlando Magic face is to find a starting guard.

It has been the biggest obsession for the Magic since the season ended.

Paolo Banchero spoke to The Washington Post about the need for a table setter and playmaker. Anyone who watched the Magic's playoff series saw a dramatic lack of consistency and playmaking from the guard spots.

While Orlando does not want to abandon relying on its two 6-foot-10 forwards as primary playmakers, the team does need to ease the pressure on them to create. The Magic need to find a way to get them some easy shots.

That is why a point guard has been the biggest focus this offseason.

But the answer is not so simple. The Magic might be looking for two guards in actuality since they are expected to let two guards walk away this offseason.

As for the backup guard spot, the Magic are likely hoping Anthony Black can fill in for Markelle Fultz's vacancy. Fultz took those minutes as the veteran last year. But Orlando saw what Black can do with consistent minutes. And with a summer to improve, the Magic should feel more confident in Black to step up to the plate.

Orlando may look to the second round to fill the third guard role behind Black or platoon Anthony Black and Cole Anthony as their three point guards.

The team will be seeking a starting guard with the majority of its cap room. That is the place where the Magic can make the biggest immediate upgrade. But finding the right guard will be the challenge. Orlando is a unique team with two young players who still need some room to grow and develop.

Free Agency Options: Paul George, Klay Thompson, D'Angelo Russell, Malik Monk, Tyus Jones, Chris Paul

Trade Options: Dejounte Murray, Darius Garland, Trae Young, Anfernee Simons, CJ McCollum, Malcolm Brogdon, Collin Sexton

There are many options for the Magic to consider for this guard spot. And the Magic will be able to pick out what kind of team they want to build.

They could go for the big stars in Paul George and Klay Thompson, as they are reported to have some interest, and bring in some more off-ball scoring or spacing. Or they could chase after more traditional point guards or scoring guards who can playmake and create.

The test for the Magic this offseason will be on Jeff Weltman. Weltman will have the ability to shape this team. And he will need to put together a good pitch—or construct a solid trade—to bring the right player in to complete the starting lineup.

2. Wing depth

It is easy to spot the Orlando Magic's need for a guard. That is where a lot of us have spent our attention and focus. The starting lineup is a big thing. The Magic must add that piece to the puzzle. It is the most important addition they bring this offseason.

But the reason why there might be hesitation to throw a $35-million contract at Paul George or Klay Thompson is because there are other needs the Magic should address this offseason. Having a mid-level contract to spend will go a long way toward adding more quality players to the roster.

Just looking at the depth chart makes that clear. The Magic could lean on Jett Howard or Caleb Houstan to step in and fill the minutes that will theoretically be vacated by Joe Ingles. That might be a solid risk to take.

But it leaves the team incredibly young off the bench. There is a bit of inconsistency that the team would be weathering and developing.

There is also the small matter of covering for any lingering injuries for Jonathan Isaac. The Magic should be looking this offseason to find some added wing depth—whether that is adding another veteran shooter or another big wing to help fill out the bench.

Here, too. there are certainly lots of options. But the Magic have to ensure that they boost their depth elsewhere too. They need some more shooting off the bench, they need some more size and versatility. They need . . . a bit of everything.

The Magic should be looking at this as an opportunity to improve their overall talent. And while there are young players they should be giving space to play, they should also have an eye on improving their depth of talent overall.

Better players is never a bad thing.

Like with the guards, there are loads of options the Magic can look to -- whether that is coming from the Draft or in free agency. This is where the Magic should be looking to spend something close to the mid-level

Free Agency Options: Malik Beasley, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Buddy Hield, Obi Toppin, Kelly Oubre, Kyle Anderson, Gordon Hayward, Bruce Brown, Gary Trent Jr., Derrick Jones Jr., Lonnie Walker, Luke Kennard

Trade Options: Brandon Ingram, Harrison Barnes, Norman Powell

Draft Options: Tristan Da Silva, Ja'Kobe Walter, Johnny Furphy, Jared McCain, Kyshawn George, Pacome Dadiet

Here, too, there is no shortage of options. And plenty of players who would fit the bill for the Magic both with their defense and their size.

This could be not just about the team looking for shooting, although this is an area where they could hunt for more shooting than they currently have.

There are shooters though. Some reporting has connected the Magic to Denver Nuggets forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Milwaukee Bucks wing Malik Beasley. Both could be out of this price range.

Magic fans have long coveted Buddy Hield. After his rough finish to the season with the Philadelphia 76ers, he could be acquired for much cheaper. And in a more secure bench role, he could give the Magic a huge spurt

Who the Magic chase among this group could also provide a clue over what they feel their two first-round picks from last year can contribute. This could also be the area where the Magic use their draft to bolster their depth.

There are plenty of quality wings—Tristan Da Silva seems like the perfect kind of Magic player, but Johnny Furphy also has the size and versatility the Magic like, even if he needs a bit more time to be a clear contributor.

This is the spot after all left by Joe Ingles and Chuma Okeke. So they need someone they are confident can fit into the rotation.

1. That third center

The Orlando Magic's depth chart feel pretty secure at center, but it is not fully secure. The Magic know they can trust in Mo Wagner for those backup center minutes. Wendell Carter is reliable when he is healthy, but has a long history of injuries.

If Carter is still the team's answer at center, the Magic need a starting-capable third center to fill in for however long Carter is out—he has never played more than 60 games just once in his career and played in only 55 games last year.

That fact alone might be why the Magic could be hunting for a starting center and be more willing to trade Carter. That could be an area the Magic look for a simple upgrade to their roster.

That is why there should at least be some consideration for signing bigs like Isaiah Hartenstein or Nic Claxton, even if the price is too great.

But assuming the Magic want to keep Carter, they need to be prepared for the possibility that he will miss 15-20 games. That is a safe bet at this point in his career, considering his history.

If Orlando is not going to re-sign Goga Bitadze, they will need to find a center to fill that role. That is vitally important, even if it comes at a relatively cheap price.

It is probably not someplace they should turn to the draft for, however. They need experience and someone who can start. But there are options there too.

Free Agency Options: Isaiah Hartenstein, Nic Claxton, Jonas Valanciunas, Andre Drummond, Daniel Theis, Mason Plumlee

Trade Options: Karl-Anthony Towns, Robert Williams

Draft Options: Kel'el Ware, Yves Missi, Kyle Filipowski

The center market appears much tighter than the other needs the Magic have to fill this offseason. It might be worth it to splurge for one of the big free agents if that is who the Magic believe in to grow the roster. That might be too aggressive, but the Magic should spend this offseason being a bit more aggressive.

The minimum and back-end options dry up very quickly without consistent center. It would not be surprising then for the Magic to pay extra to keep Goga Bitadze if he is interested in returning.

Bitadze's return should not be concerned such a remote possibility.

The Magic's need at center may not be the most dramatic need. It might be the need the Magic are willing to spend the least on this offseason. But it may prove to be the toughest one to fill.