Expectations for the Orlando Magic’s 2024-25 season are high. Paolo Banchero already confidently stated on First Take that he thought the Magic should be able to finish third or fourth in the Eastern Conference. Not everyone shares that view. ESPN, for example, predicted the Magic would finish sixth to the East.
Given the competition, that’s not an unreasonable assumption. The Magic are young, still relatively inexperienced, and have serious offensive issues. Meanwhile, the Celtics, Knicks, 76ers, Cavaliers, and Bucks have rosters loaded with experienced veterans and star players.
Getting a top-three finish in the Eastern Conference won’t be easy for the Magic, but it’s not impossible either, so let’s take a look at how they might achieve that.
With seven or eight teams aiming for the top 6 of the Eastern Conference Standings-wise, there will be little margin for error heading into the 2024-25 season, so the first thing the Magic need to do is figure out how to run a functional offense.
The defense will carry the team part of the way, but it will also have to score enough to beat its opponents and have other strategies than simply giving the ball to Paolo Banchero in the decisive moment and hoping he finds a solution.
Last season, six of the eight Eastern playoff teams ranked among the league’s top 16 offensive teams. Only the Magic and Heat finished below that ranking, finishing the regular season 22nd and 21st, respectively. Similarly, six of the eight teams ranked 11th or better in the league’s defensive rating.
Last season, the top three teams in the Eastern Division were the Celtics, Knicks, and Bucks. They ranked first, seventh, and sixth in offensive rating, and second, ninth, and twentieth in defensive rating, respectively. The Celtics and Knicks were excellent on both ends of the floor, while the Bucks were content with below-average defense and a solid offense.
Orlando should do the opposite. The Magic already have a very solid defense. Now they need to improve their offense and, preferably, finish above 20th in the league in offensive rating.
Internal improvement is the main key for the Magic to improve offensively and secure a top-3 finish in the Eastern Conference.
Jalen Suggs needs to prove his three-point shooting is legit and continue to develop his offensive game, particularly as a creator and playmaker. Anthony Black, Tristan da Silva and Jett Howard need to be ready when their numbers are called. Gary Harris needs to be a more impactful shooter than he was last season.
The list goes on, but the most important thing is that Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero continue to improve. If Wagner fixes his outside shot and reaches All-Star level, and if Banchero goes from All-Star to All-NBA player, The Magic will be well positioned to compete with the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic’s progress alone may not be enough to secure a spot in the Eastern Conference’s top three. They’ll likely need help from other contenders.
That help could come in the form of unexpected challenges. If the Cavaliers’ Big Four implodes, if the Bucks can’t get the Damian Lillard-Giannis Antetokounmpo duo to work, or if Paul George doesn’t prove to be a good fit for the 76ers, the Magic should have a chance to sneak into the top spot.
The Magic’s health should also work in their favor. In such a tight race for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, it would only take one injury to a star player to knock a team down the standings. Last season, the Magic were very healthy while other teams struggled with injuries. We should never wish for players to suffer injuries, but the easiest path to the top spot in the Eastern Conference would be for the Magic to take advantage of their opponents’ injury problems.
