Ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season, the Orlando Magic on SI breaks down the offseason of every opponent the Magic will face this year, ranked by division. First up, the Magic’s Southeast rivals.
The only teams that could stop the Orlando Magic from winning a second straight Southeast Division title are themselves and the Miami Heat.
To build a firewall around their young stars, the Magic signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a reliable shooter and defender with championship pedigree, and drafted a 23-year-old rookie (Tristan da Silva) who appears ready to provide quality minutes.
Orlando’s division rivals also made significant additions and deletions, but only the Heat look threatening.
Let’s refresh with a look at the Southeast just five weeks before training camp begins.
Result 2023-24: 46-36, 2nd in the Southeast, 8th seed (Play-In), 4-1 loss to Boston in the first round
Additions:
Subtractions:
Preserved/Extended:
More-Less: 44.5 wins
Jimmy Butler, back from a sprained ACL, is still capable of being the best player on the court at any given moment. With Adebayo entering his prime and coming off a gold medal this summer, it might be time to give him the keys to the offense. He’s already a top-notch defender who hasn’t gotten the spotlight he deserves, but he could become Miami’s No. 1 option.
Terry Rozier is the wild card, returning from a neck injury that sidelined him for the final stretch of the season. Otherwise, Miami is counting on strong seasons from Tyler Herro, Jamie Jaquez Jr. and Duncan Robinson to complement Butler and Adebayo.
But Heat Culture has a knack for making things happen. Miami has won three of the last five division titles and is one game behind Orlando last year.
They appear to be the Magic’s toughest competition.
Result 2023-24: 36-46, 3rd in the Southeast, 10th seed (Play-In), loss in Play-In
Additions:
Subtractions:
Preserved/Extended:
More-Less: 35.5 wins
Trae Young is an All-Star on a team headed for a rebuild. There is no second star after Young. Atlanta got some interesting pieces in return, including draft capital in a loaded 2025 class and Daniels, 21, a giant guard whose defense and global play at the olympic games eyes open.
But can a team with Young, who has two years and a player option left on his $215 million contract, tank? Splitting Young and Murray at guard seemed like a necessary evil, and the Hawks were lucky to end up with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. They took a chance on Risacher, and he certainly has the ability to get on the court this year.
Atlanta’s roster isn’t in the top eight of the Eastern Conference, but it’s not bad enough to be in the bottom of the conference. The Hawks could find themselves in play-in purgatory again.
Result 2023-24: 21-61, missed the playoffs
Additions:
Subtractions:
Preserved/Extended:
More-Less: 30.5 wins
A new general manager, a new head coach and new leadership are in charge in Charlotte, but will that translate into immediate success?
The Hornets have two promising young stars in Lamelo Ball and Brandon Miller, but they haven’t seen much of them together. Ball has played more than half a regular season just twice as he enters his fifth year in the league, including just 22 games and 36 games over the last two seasons. Miller averaged 17.3 points per game in his rookie season and is poised to become the sharpshooter of the future in Charlotte.
If Ball and Miller stay on the court and other contributors like Mark Williams or Miles Bridges continue to be productive, this looks like a Hornets team that could have a bit of a bounce-back season.
Result 2023-24: 15-67, missed playoffs
Additions:
Subtractions:
Preserved/Extended:
More-Less: 20.5 wins
Two things are true as Washington approaches its 2024-25 campaign:
1. It was a positive offseason that pushed the Wizards toward a younger, revamped team and a bigger rebuild; and
2. The Wizards will be a very bad team in 2024-25.
Every truth is by design. Washington doesn’t need to compete right away, nor does it have the roster to do so. But they do have draft capital they can rely on that could be a huge help in the next two drafts, which should contain some interesting talent that will help them in the long run.
Valanciunas will help develop Sarr, who fell to the Wizards at No. 2 after refusing to work out with Atlanta. Advija was a solid young talent sacrificed, but the upside was worth it.
This is a development year for a team that is looking to the future. This year’s win-loss record won’t mean much.
