Professional Magic team member at risk of being benchmarked during preseason training in the calendar year 2025-26
Orlando Magic Shake Up Roster Heading into 2025-26 Season
The Orlando Magic, who fell to the Boston Celtics in last season's playoffs, are making some changes to their roster as the 2025-26 NBA season approaches.
Jalen Suggs, the team's key starter, sustained a knee injury last season, and his availability for the start of the season is uncertain. This has opened up opportunities for other players to step up and make their mark.
One such player is Franz Wagner, who recently dominated in EuroBasket and will return as the starting small forward for the Magic. Wagner averaged an impressive 24.2 points per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the floor in EuroBasket. His strong performance could solidify his position in the starting lineup.
Anthony Black, who averaged 9.4 points per game and started 10 games last season, is next in line. The Magic may prioritize Black's defensive ability and rebounding skills over Suggs' potential return to the starting lineup.
Tyus Jones, who averaged 10.3 points per game while playing for the Phoenix Suns, is also attending the Magic training camp. His experience and solid play could make him a contender for a starting spot, particularly if Suggs' return from injury is delayed.
Goga Bitadze, who started 42 games last season, could potentially challenge Wendell Carter Jr. for a starting spot. Bitadze averaged 7.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting 61.1 percent from the field last season. Carter, the team's centre in the middle, rounds out the starting rotation.
The Magic have also made some moves to bolster their backcourt. They have traded for Desmond Bane, who averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game last season. Bane's addition to the team could add depth and versatility to the Magic's offensive game.
With Suggs' future uncertain, the Magic may opt to start Black or Jones instead of him initially, to give him time to recover and ease him back into the lineup. This could provide the team with valuable experience and depth, particularly against Eastern Conference contenders like the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.
The Magic have odds of +1,900 to win the NBA title this season, according to estimates from FanDuel. With a new-look roster and some talented young players, the Magic have a chance to climb the standings due to injuries suffered by the Celtics and Indiana Pacers.
The 2025-26 NBA training camp for the Orlando Magic is currently underway. The team will be looking to make the most of this time to fine-tune their strategies and prepare for the upcoming season.
As for Suggs, he has never declined in overall play, but his starting position is in jeopardy due to health concerns. The Magic will be hoping for a speedy recovery for their young star, but in the meantime, they have a talented roster ready to step up and compete.
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