ORLANDO, Fla. — Losing in the first round of the NBA playoffs in back-to-back seasons is not where the Magic want to be.
“It’s time to enter the next stage of our development,” said Jeff Weltman, Orlando Magic president of basketball operations, during season ending exit interviews. “When you go into these things, you can’t wait to get to that day, right? You want to acquire enough talent, develop, see the talent grow up, come together, and we acquitted ourselves well. And we’re in a place now where the focus will shift more towards looking at the world through more of a win now sort of lens.”
What You Need To Know
After the team was eliminated from the NBA finals in the first round for the second year in a row, Orlando Magic’s leadership say the team will now focus on a “win now” mentality
Magic management say they want to bring in proven offensive players
Magic finished last in the NBA in three-point shooting percentage and assists this season
Paolo Banchero is eligible for the rookie extension this summer
Weltman said this offseason will be spent making the Magic a championship contender, which starts with making the offense better.
Orlando was the worst three-point shooting team this season, and Weltman said he wants to bring in proven offensive players.
The focus is on getting better, and Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley welcomes the idea.
“We’re going to leave no stone unturned when it comes to try to find ways to continue to get better,” Mosley said. “But not just as players, but as coaches as well. I welcome any version of trying to get better, whether it’s myself as well as the staff.”
Injuries were also a part of the Magic’s season.
They lost Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner for months with olibque injuries. Then Jalen Suggs and Moe Wagner were both sidelined with season-ending knee injuries.
It’s tough to watch, but you have a decision,” said Moe Wagner, on seeing his team battle the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. “You can sulk about it or be mad about it, or you can take it as an opportunity to grow and learn from it and view the game from a different perspective.”
When Banchero and Wagner returned to the lineup, they proved they could lead this squad.
They two combined for 55 points during the playoffs, which was the second best duo in the NBA.
This summer Banchero is eligible for a rookie extension.
The Magic’s payroll will be getting expensive.
They already extended Franz and Suggs this past summer, and with Paolo’s deal coming, that can be upwards of $600 million in extensions for three players.