NBA Power Rankings: Re-seeding the East after NBA Draft, Free Agency

NBA Power Rankings: Re-seeding the East after the NBA Draft, Free Agency

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 29: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the first quarter against the Miami Heat in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 29, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

4 of 15

Orlando Magic Paolo Banchero (Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports) /

12. Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic may still be 2-3 years away from truly walking into their potential, but this is a team that should be on everyone’s radar in the Eastern Conference. They’re young, exciting, and have a swagger to them that they haven’t had, quite frankly, in a very long time. The hype around Paolo Banchero is real and he’s only going to get better. The young core surrounding Bacnchero is almost equally talented.

As long as there are no hiccups over the next few seasons, and if the development of their young players remains on track, the Magic have a chance to be one of the better teams in the East sooner rather than later. The NBA is a star-driven league and the Magic may have one of the league’s best young players in Banchero.

If even one of their two lottery picks from this year is a hit, there’s an outside chance that Orlando could be a dark horse threat to make the Play-In Tournament in the East. I won’t say that they are but there’s a chance they could be in that race by the end of the season.