Sir Charles in Charge
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Have the Orlando Magic done enough to be competitive in 2022-23?

By Daniel Outerbridge

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 03: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket in the second half against Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Chicago Bulls at United Center on January 03, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 03: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket in the second half against Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Chicago Bulls at United Center on January 03, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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Paolo Banchero
Paolo Banchero (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

The Orlando Magic’s frontcourt of the future could be elite 

With the addition of Paolo Banchero, the Orlando Magic could have one of the best defensive frontcourts in the NBA. They are young and without a lot of experience but the potential that these players have on the defensive end as a unit could be the difference behind them having a winning or losing season.

Banchero will be joining Wendell Carter Jr. and Franz Wagner in the lineup which could be the Magic’s starters in the frontcourt. Mosley will most likely experiment with the rotation until he finds the right fit as he has a few defensive threats to insert into the lineup. When you analyze Banchero, the first thing many recognize is his willingness to defend and accept challenges – similar to when he volunteered to guard both Keegan Murray and Jabari Smith Jr. during his two NBA Summer League games.

The 6-foot-10, 250-pound rookie projects to be an above-average defender at least as he is very capable of defending multiple positions. Carter will more than likely be the man in the middle as he established himself during a career year as he finished in the top 10 in rebounds per game. While Carter isn’t a great shot blocker, his one-on-one defense and shot contesting were superb while being a mobile and agile defender.

Carter was solid and impressive last season and will play a major role in the Magic’s quest to get back into contention. He has legit post-up moves, can drive it to the rim, and can also shoot it from deep. Franz Wagner will return fresh off a season where he earned All-NBA First Team Rookie honors as he fit seamlessly into Mosley’s system.

Wagner may have been a bit overlooked due to so much attention on fellow rookies Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, and Scottie Barnes but he was still able to stand out. He is a fundamentally sound player who plays within his abilities, has good instincts, makes all the right decisions, and knows where to be on the floor within the flow of the offense. Wagner also showed promise as a creator off the dribble and he is good at passing out of the pick and roll.

The frontcourt trio of Banchero, Carter, and Wagner could cause a lot of problems for teams defensively. All three of them are at least 6-foot-10, long, and play with maximum effort and hustle.

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