Hanifan's Offseason Outlook: Evaluating the Orlando Magic's 2024 offseason

Hot Hot Hoops senior writer Matt Hanifan will provide his take on the offseasons of all 30 teams for the next 30 days! Today, we are looking back on the Orlando Magic’s offseason!

Previous Offseason Outlooks:

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Additions: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cory Joseph

Subtractions: Markelle Fultz, Joe Ingles, Chuma Okeke, Admiral Schofield, Kevon Harris

Re-signed: Franz Wagner, Mo Wagner, Jonathan Isaac, Gary Harris, Goga Bitadze, Trevelin Queen,

Draft: Tristan da Silva (No. 18 overall)

Hanifan’s Take: The Orlando Magic have done nothing but exceed expectations since former No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero arrived two seasons ago. Last year, they finished as the No. 5 seed in the East, but ultimately got eliminated in seven games to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Their biggest need heading into 2024-25 was 3-point shooting after placing amongst the bottom-six teams in 3-point percentage (35.6; 25th) and volume (32.9; 27th). What they didn’t address in terms of quantity, they got in quality. Orlando added Caldwell-Pope for three years, $66 million, which was a massive get. He’s canned 40.3 percent of his 3-pointers over the last five seasons while being an integral two-way player for two title teams over that span. They also drafted Colorado wing Tristan da Silva No. 18 overall–one of my favorite players in the 2024 class. Even roughly a month-and-a-half later, I will admit that I would’ve taken da Silva over Kel’el Ware No. 15 overall for the Heat, but I digress. He was a deadeye 3-point shooter (39.5 percent on 4.3 attempts) over his last two seasons in Boulder, Colo., and canned 10 of his 17 long-range attempts (58.8 percent) in just three Summer League games. Even after his abhorrent, outlier (?) shooting season, I still believe in Franz Wagner’s long-term prospects as an impactful two-way wing alongside Banchero; the Magic extending Jonathan Isaac for $84 million (over five years) is one I wouldn’t have done for a player who has played only 103 combined games over the last five seasons, even though he’s one of the best defenders in the sport when he’s on the floor; bringing back Gary Harris–to presumably backup KCP–plus Goga Bitadze and Mo Wagner on team-friendly deals were all important, too. All in all, I was a big fan of Orlando’s offseason, even though they didn’t make a huge “splash” that some thought they would make. The Magic are still arguably a top-5 team in the East with exceptional coaching and stout young pieces.