Magic’s injuries stall progress despite promising core

Jun 11, 2025 10:38 AM

From 2012/13 to 2021/22, the Orlando Magic struggled significantly, finishing below .500 in nine out of ten seasons and posting just one winning record (42-40 in 2018/19).

After years of mediocrity, Orlando began a rebuild in 2020/21, trading stars Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Evan Fournier.

Using one of the picks acquired for Vucevic, they wisely drafted Franz Wagner eighth overall in 2021, then struck gold in 2022 by winning the draft lottery and selecting Paolo Banchero.

Before Banchero’s arrival, the Magic were 22-60, but they improved quickly, winning 34 games in his rookie year and going 47-35 in 2023/24 to reach the playoffs.

Although they lost a tight first-round series to Cleveland in seven games, the team showed promise with a talented young core, strong defense, and great chemistry.

Expectations were high for 2024/25, but the Magic regressed to 41-41, scraping into the playoffs via the play-in and losing in the first round to the Celtics in five games.

Injuries played a major role – Banchero, Wagner, and Suggs combined for just 141 games and only played six games together. Reserve big Moritz Wagner was sidelined by an ACL injury after 30 games.

Despite losing Banchero early and later Franz Wagner, the Magic started the season well (17-9), with Wagner looking like a future All-Star. But injuries piled up, hampering their progress.

Offensively, the team struggled with new signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope failing to gel, key role players taking steps back, and young guard Jett Howard struggling in limited minutes.

Veteran Cory Joseph and rookie Tristan da Silva had to fill bigger roles than expected and performed decently under tough circumstances.

Though this season was messy and disappointing, Orlando’s foundation remains solid. With a talented core and smart offseason moves, the Magic have a genuine chance to contend in the East next year if they stay healthy and add the right pieces to complement their stars.