How the Magic's Young Core Have Surged into Contention

      After years of trying to rebuild and find a core to build around, the Magic landed the 2022 #1 overall pick, giving a huge boost to their franchise trajectory. Still, going into draft might, there remained uncertainty around who they would select. They could go for Jabari Smith Jr. out of Auburn, Chet Holmgren out of Gonzaga, or Paolo Banchero out of Duke. Thanks to an Adrian Wojnarowski report roughly one hour before Orlando was on the clock, we knew who they would go with.

       The NBA world was shocked as supposed 3rd overall pick Banchero went number 1, sending teams behind them into deep thought. The Thunder, at number 2, had a big decision. They could stick with their plans and take Holmgren, or they could change at the last second and take Smith, who was widely projected to go first. In the end, the Thunder stuck with the guy they knew, and Jabari Smith Jr. fell from 1 to 3. 

       2 years later, and that last minute switch is the main reason the Magic find themselves in the playoffs, and the Rockets don't. A staple of this organization's current era is finding players who play well together, even if they are not the most talented. It's a bold move in an age where super teams have ascended, but who would have told you at the start of the 2022-23 season that the Magic, Knicks, and Pacers would be firmly in the playoffs while the Warriors and Lakers battle it out in the play in and the Nets are long gone? This Orlando team has stayed together, they are out for team wins, and not personal stats. They are playing for love of the game, not for money. They understand that to win in the playoffs you don't need 3 superstars screaming at each other to pass the ball, but instead you need to know your teammates instincts, and learn how to play with each other. 

       Their roster is filled with players drafted by them and barely any who weren't. Clearly, this organization has mastered the art of taking care of their players, and they have evidence to back it up. That player care is a skill other teams around the league need to work on, and if the Magic's success doesn't show them, what will?

       Along with the players they have drafted, Orland has found success recycling players from other teams, molding them to fit their playstyle, and throwing them into action. For example, former number 1 pick Markelle Fultz, after an ugly tenure in Philadelphia, came to the Magic banged up. Now, he is a solid all around role player who provides strong defense on the second line. In Philly, he was supposed to be the third star to work with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Obviously, that's not what he turned out to be. The Magic organization correctly realized that he would never really be a star. That's not what they needed him to be, making Fultz a perfect fit in the Orlando scheme. He is an important piece in their never ending depth, and has helped to craft the team today.