23. Orlando Magic
There are probably some who believe the Orlando Magic missed the opportunity this offseason to add much-needed veteran talent to the roster. Many believed that the Magic was going to do what the Houston Rocke did heading into free agency. That didn’t happen but that doesn’t mean the Magic still can’t be a dangerous team in the Eastern Conference. They have a strong core of young talent and an emerging superstar in Paolo Banchero.
While there’s an argument to be made that the Magic will only go as far as Banchero will take them, the team’s continued development of their supporting cast will go a long way in solidifying the Magic as a potential threat to make the Play-In Tournament in the Eastern Conference.
If the Magic’s young core can take another step forward, and Banchero does end up being the player that Orlando believes he can be, it’s not out of the question that they could outperform some of their pre-season expectations.
The big question for this team revolves around how big of a step forward they’re going to take this season.