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Orlando Magic still need to change approach to team building
The Orlando Magic handed out a copy of their roster before media day began a few weeks ago.
Toward the bottom of that sheet of paper was a list that read "How They Were Built," which listed how the Magic acquired every player on the roster. There were, of course, a lot of players drafted — eight to be exact. And their share of free agents.
But in an NBA ecosphere that seems to value trades as a way to reshape the roster more, it is notable how few of the Magic's players were acquired by trade.
The answer is three — Desmond Bane, in the blockbuster deal from this summer; Wendell Carter, the last remnant of the Nikola Vucevic trade in 2021; and Noah Penda, acquired in a draft night deal with the Boston Celtics.
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The conversation: Will Desmond Bane cure what has ailed the Magic?
The Orlando Magic had the NBA's second-best defense last season and the third-best defense in 2023-24. They're big, they're physical, and sometimes they're downright mean. Imagine if they could score!
That's the theory behind giving up four unprotected first-round picks and a pick swap to get Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies. With Bane — one of the league's best shooters, and also a skilled playmaker — opening things up for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the Magic look strong on both ends for the first time in forever.
Tyus Jones, signed in free agency, could also give Orlando an offensive boost. With another leap from Banchero, better shooting from Wagner, a healthier season from Jalen Suggs and consistent contributions from its young guards (Anthony Black, Jett Howard, rookie Jase Richardson), there's no reason it can't win 50-plus games and make a deep playoff run. These are lofty expectations for a relatively young team and a franchise that hasn't made the second round of the playoffs since 2010, but, if you're trading all those picks, you're announcing that it's winning time.