NBA Power Rankings: Can the Toronto Raptors rise in a wide open East?
By Kyle Crabbe
14. Orlando Magic
Off-Season Grade: B-
Team Skills’ Grades
Offense: C
Defense: B-
Chemistry: C
Coaching: B-
Front Office: C-
Team Outlook:
The 2018-19 Orlando Magic find themselves in the midst of a readjustment to a rebuild. The Magic will try to rebound from a 57 loss season and the removal of head coach Frank Vogel. Replacing Vogel is long-time veteran of the NBA league Steve Clifford. Clifford comes to the Magic after working as head coach for the Charlotte Hornets over the last five seasons where he finished with a total record of 196 – 214 and two playoff appearances.
The most important player for the Magic this year will be fourth-year wing Man Aaron Gordon. Gordon signed a significant contract extension in the off-season that has set the expectations for Gordon relatively high entering the 2018-19 season. Gordon will be looked at to take another step up in his career and develop closer to a All-Star caliber player.
The most interesting players for the Magic this year will be 2017 lottery pick Jonathan Issac and he enters year two and 2018 sixth overall pick in Mohamed Bamba. Bamba and Issac both are physically special athletes that both bring elite defensive potential. Issac and Bamba also are both teenagers and this season could be both exciting and a struggle as they develop in the NBA.
Team Record Predictions : 26 – 56