The Magic are banking on the power of team stability this offseason, Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes. With the exception of Nikola Vucevic, Terrence Ross and Jerian Grant, each of Orlando’s main rotation pieces are set to return for another season, providing the kind of stability and consistency the team hasn’t had in recent years.
“Obviously, this year is going to be different,” veteran guard Evan Fournier said, according to Robbins. “Having stability, it’s huge in this league. The fact that we know what to expect for next year, I think, is going to help us tremendously.”
Orlando sports a young core that consists of Aaron Gordon, Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac, Mo Bamba and others, claiming the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference and finishing with a 42-40 record this past season.
In addition to gaining consistency with its players, the Magic aren’t expected to make any major moves with the coaching staff or front office. The team hired a new head coach in Steve Clifford last May, a veteran coach who helped the team compete throughout the difficult season.
“I believe this will be the most efficient and focused summer that I’ve had up to date in the NBA with not having to worry about who’s coming in the coaching staff or who’s going to be our next general manager or what offense we’re going to be running and knowing where I’m going to be, what city I’m going to be in,” Gordon said. “So my focus level will be there and there will be a tremendous payoff.”
There’s more out of the Southeast Division tonight:
- The Heat have various trade options entering the month of June, though most of these options would come at a steep cost, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel writes. Miami finished the season with a disappointing ending, missing the playoffs for the third time in the past five years.
- Kawhi Leonard re-signing with the Raptors on a short-term deal could benefit the Heat if he chooses to go that route, Winderman writes in a separate article for the Sun Sentinel. By next summer, Miami will have the salaries of Goran Dragic ($18MM player option), Hassan Whiteside ($27MM player option) and Ryan Anderson ($21MM) off their books.
- Chase Hughes of NBC Sports examines how former Oregon center Bol Bol could fit with the Wizards if the team chooses to select him in the draft later this month. Washington has the ninth overall pick in the draft and could use it on the 7’3″ Bol, a potentially dominant two-way presence at center. Bol is the son of former Washington player Manute Bol, who was drafted by the team back in 1985.
Uh, Bol Bol is not 7’7, unless he hit a growth spurt lately.
he could be…. he was 7 -5 wen he was 15yrs old
Fixed, thanks — think JD mixed up wingspan and height listed in the NBC article.
Manute Bol never played for the Wizards. They were the Bullets when he was there.
It’s the same franchise. Get it ?
So would you count John Wall as the leading scorer in Wizards history? Not Elvin Hayes? Or whoever it is?
And you’re not even talking about the franchise moving from a different city. Philadelphia Warriors to California Etc. I might understand pointing that out, slightly.
They are still the Washington b-ball team, currently known as the Wizards. Manute Bol played for them. Get it?
It doesn’t make sense to point out that the Wizards where the Bullets back then. Nit- picky. Pointless.
Pointless? You mean like your little rant there? I was just pointing out an error. And it is an error. If it said former Washington player, it would be correct.
Yes, Elvin Hayes is the leading scorer in Wizards FRANCHISE history. That word is key.
Although in the NBA franchise histories are basically meaningless since Anthony Davis is the leading scorer for the same franchise that employed Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning even though those two players are considered a part of the same franchise as Kemba Walker. At this point we can start talking pointless.
You said Manute Bol never played for the Wizards.
The Washington Bullets are the Washington Wizards now. Same franchise. Manute Bol played for them.
You’re just bringing up BS and criticizing. You have a critical spirit. Leave it alone, quit pointing out mistakes of others… and this is so minor I can’t even believe you took the time to write that. Leave it alone Give It Up. Enjoy the Articles and don’t be nitpicky with pointless statements.
This is a great website with fantastic articles, and you come in and say, uh, oh he never played for the Wizards, he played for the bullets. Why be critical?
Just stop.
Let me add this. You usually have good posts and I enjoy reading what you write.
You’re very knowledgeable about basketball. I just don’t understand the minor critiques. It’s all good.
Lol it’s semantics fellas, don’t hurt each other over them
I know. Talk about being nit-picky, aren’t I doing the same thing LOL
Fultz is the biggest mystery ever. That kid was a baller in college. I think the shoulder story is baloney sauce. Bad case of yips? Maybe Magic is suitable place to get it back.