The Orlando Magic established themselves as a gritty and physical defensive team last season, finishing the season with one of the best defensive ratings across the league. Jalen Suggs was at the head of the snake and made his first All-Defensive Second Team after the season.
Now, Suggs has the perfect defensive-minded backcourt partner in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. While the Magic didn't fix all of their offensive issues with the addition of Caldwell-Pope, they certainly got even better defensively, especially if Jonathan Isaac is available.
The organization put a lot of focus on not losing the team's defensive identity despite having the option to add an impactful offensive player to the mix. This is obviously what the Magic want to be. They will have to rely on their defensive prowess again and have a good chance of being one of the top defensive teams once again.
So, let's look at three teams the Magic are competing with for the best defensive rating in the league next season.
3. The Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves finished the last regular season with the best defensive rating in the league. Much like the Magic, they built their identity on the defensive end and threw plenty of size on the court at all times. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert protected the rim incredibly well, averaging 2.1 blocks per game in the regular season.
On the perimeter, the Timberwolves have several strong defenders as well. Jaden McDaniels led the charge all season long and made the All-Defensive Second Team. He and All-Star Anthony Edwards formed a daunting defensive duo on the perimeter all season long.
To top that off, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kyle Anderson offered defensive talent off the bench. Except for Anderson, all of those players are returning to Minnesota for the 2024-25 season, and not much should change for them defensively.
Gobert might not win another Defensive Player of the Year award—if you believe French phenomenon Victor Wembanyama—but he will still be a strong presence in the paint. On the perimeter, Edwards and McDaniels are still constantly improving. The Timberwolves will surely be in the mix for the best defensive rating once again next season.
2. The Oklahoma City Thunder
The young Oklahoma City Thunder finished the regular season with the fourth-best defensive rating across the league and posted an even better rating in the playoffs. Chet Holmgren's size made it incredibly difficult for opponents to score on the Thunder in the paint, and they had several strong defenders on the perimeter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished the season tied with De'Aaron Fox for the most total steals recorded. Lu Dort is widely regarded as one of the best wing defenders in the league, even though he did not make an All-Defensive team this season, and Jalen Williams is incredibly versatile on that end of the floor. Cason Wallace has also shown immense promise off the bench.
As they get older, this team will only get better on both ends of the floor, and they also made some significant moves this summer. Swapping Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso gives the Thunder another incredibly talented and more veteran perimeter defender. Dealing with a potential starting lineup of Caruso, Dort, Williams, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Holmgren will be a defensive nightmare to deal with.
The Thunder might very well enter the season as one of the favorites to win the Western Conference as well as one of the favorites to post the best defensive rating for the season. This is a team the Magic will have to deal with for years to come. Fortunately, they are not in the same conference.
1. The Boston Celtics
The reigning champions are a true two-way force and cannot be ignored in this conversation. Boston already posted one of the best defensive ratings last season and will now enter next season with the same personal as well as extreme confidence after winning a championship.
Jrue Holiday and Derrick White both made the All-Defensive Second Team and easily formed one of the best defensive backcourts in the league. Jalen Suggs and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are coming for them, but dethroning Holiday and White won't be an easy feat.
Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown are also very capable defenders at the forward spots, and Kristaps Porzingis is a great shot blocker. Porzingis only played 57 games last season, and the Celtics were still one of the best defensive teams out there. If he is healthier next season, they will be an even bigger problem to deal with.
The starting lineup has no weak link defensively and every single one of these players is also very capable offensively. Orlando is often compared to the Celtics because they are also building around two forwards and the Magic are starting to take a very similar route defensively. Offensively, Boston is light years ahead, however.
The Magic definitely have the talent and potential to be one of the best defensive teams in the NBA next season, but they also have plenty of strong competition.