4. Orlando Magic
Best finish: NBA finalist (two times)
Iconic player(s): Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, Tracy McGrady, Dwight Howard, Grant Hill
Championship outlook: Poor
The Orlando Magic have some success in their relatively short history even if it hasn’t yielded a championship yet. Interestingly, the Magic are the only team to beat Jordan’s Bulls in a playoff series after their first NBA title. But that’s often forgotten.
The Magic have been to the NBA Finals twice but struggled once they got there on both occasions. Still, Orlando has made the playoffs 15 times over the course of its 30-year history. They were on pace to make the playoffs again this season before the hiatus. With that said, I still don’t think this team is close to contention.
They don’t currently have a franchise player on its roster and will likely either have to sign one in free agency or find a hidden gem in the middle of the draft. Unless the Magic elect to bottom out, Orlando is in a difficult situation. Still, that shouldn’t take away from this franchise’s competitiveness and history.