NBA: Re-Ranking The Eastern Conference After Free Agency

Apr 3, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Magic defeated Timberwolves 97-84. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Orlando Magic

2014-15 Record: 25-57

2015-16 Projected Wins: 30-40

I’m taking a blind swing here, mostly because I simply don’t know who’s going to finish as the No. 8 seed in the East, but why not the Orlando Magic?

The have a plethora of young talent and two cornerstones of the franchise in Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vucevic. Elfrid Payton might not be able to shoot, but he he sure knows how to be effective despite that. Aaron Gordon looks good — really good — during NBA summer league and Mario Hezonja looks like he has a bright future in the NBA.

If this Magic team takes the necessary steps this summer, who’s to say that they can’t squeak into the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference?

Next: No. 8 Toronto Raptors