The Magic might come to regret their silence during the NBA trade deadline.
Having a 30–25 record, a +0.8 point difference, and a +1 net rating for the season, the Orlando Magic have been a strong club. The Magic and Indiana Pacers are tied for sixth place in the Eastern Conference, with just a half-game separating them.
Throughout this reconstruction, Orlando has been patient, and it has paid off with outstanding play from their young core, which includes Paolo Banchero’s All-Star participation. It wasn’t shocking in the slightest that the Magic decided to remain the same at the 2024 NBA trade deadline.
It might have been a mistake, though, to ignore increasing perimeter creation and shooting.
This season, the Magic have survived thanks to their strong defense. According to NBA.com, they presently have the fifth-best defense in the league, which makes sense considering how big their frontcourt is. However, there is a price for that size: three-point shooting.
In terms of three-point shooting percentage (34.8%), the Magic are ranked 28th in the NBA as a team. Orlando’s long-range shooting is rivaled only by the utterly destroyed Memphis Grizzlies and the fading San Antonio Spurs.
Only three players on the Magic’s roster can shoot the three at a percentage higher than 35% and play at least fifteen minutes every game. Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. are two of the guys who are truly in their frontcourt. Jalen Suggs is another, who is having a fantastic season of comebacks this year.
The other is Anthony Black, a University of Arkansas product who was selected sixth overall by Orlando and did not even have a reputation as a shooter when he first entered the league.
At the trade deadline, many shooters were dealt. In exchange for three second-round draft selections and salary padding, Buddy Hield was moved to the Philadelphia 76ers. Doug McDermott was traded for just one second-round pick, returning to the Indiana Pacers. Orlando is replete with defensive versatility and length. They can provide cover for a subpar defender who can make easy passes.
It would have been good to see them pursue that type of guy. Although he hasn’t played much this season, they are hoping that Jett Howard, another rookie they drafted in the lottery this year, could be that person.
Orlando also needs a few guards that can just grab a bucket for themselves. Banchero has established himself as this team’s offensive catalyst, although he would benefit from a guard to lighten his workload.
Four Magic players average over 20% in usage and play for at least ten minutes every game. Cole Anthony is the only guard among those players. This season, Anthony’s output has also decreased somewhat. His effective field goal percentage of 48.8% is well below the 51.6% he recorded the previous year and below the league average.
At the trade deadline, there were a lot of guards available in this archetype. The Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards were thought to be in trade talks for floor general types like Monte Morris and Tyus Jones; Morris was eventually dealt to Minnesota while Jones remained in Washington.
Players like Bones Hyland and Malcolm Brogdon were reportedly being considered by their respective teams, the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers, but they both decided to stay put before the deadline.
It makes sense for the Magic to hold onto their chips in case they receive a better offer. That could occur during the summer. However, they had the opportunity to fill those weaknesses on their existing roster, which would have allowed them to move up into sixth place in the Eastern Conference and out of the Play-In.
