NBA Hope Index: How far is each team from a ring heading into 2017-18?

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defends Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

3 of 31

NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 18: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic competes in the 2017 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at Smoothie King Center on February 18, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

29. Orlando Magic

The roster is a hodgepodge of somewhat talented but ill-fitting pieces. They have no clear building blocks for the future, and their recent draft history does nothing to inspire confidence. The best of those picks, Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton, haven’t progressed as anticipated, and they’re both about to be due a raise. They look primed to remain in 35-win hell for the foreseeable future.

Other than that, everything is great. Yes, the team hired John Hammond, the man responsible for drafting the Greek Freak, away from Milwaukee. He’s also the guy who a) traded for Michael Carter-Williams when he could have had The Lakers’ pick, b) signed John Henson to a $40+ million extension, and c) traded away a young Tobias Harris for 28 games of J.J. Redick. His record is spotty at best.

Still, NBA players will always consider signing with a Florida team, which is about the best thing Orlando has going for it. The team also owns all of their future draft picks, so that’s nice.

Path to Glory: Aaron Gordon shows promise while the team around him simultaneously hits rock bottom and they land a top pick in the draft. They ship off Fournier for anything they can get, resign Gordon, tank again in 2018-19, and try to land a big fish in the summer of 2019 when they finally have some cap room.

Home/NBA News