The Orlando Magic have been among the NBA’s most unexpected teams in 2023–2024. As they battle for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, they have positioned themselves to possibly enjoy homecourt advantage for two rounds of the postseason.
Given how well the Magic concluded the 2022–2023 season, many predicted that they would be better this season. It surpasses all expectations, though, to be considered for homecourt advantage in the NBA playoffs.
During the NBA summer, a lot of people will be closely watching the Magic as they try to solidify their position as the best team in the Eastern Conference. They have a fantastic core of young players with a lot of promise, but they need to strengthen a few areas.
Strong foundations to build upon include Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, and Wendell Carter Jr. If there’s one area this squad needs improvement, it’s shooting, particularly from outside the 3-point line.
With a 35.3 percent 3-point shooting percentage, Orlando is presently ranked 22nd in the NBA. Their 33.4 attempts per game rank them 28th, and their 11.1 makes tie them for last place, therefore they are even worse on the makes and attempts chart.
The Magic are the weakest shooting club in the playoff field, which could cause problems when the games get harder. Even though it is impossible to meet that need at this stage of the season, Orlando will find aggressive shooting once the NBA summer begins.
Tim Kawakami of The Athletic claims that they might have already started looking for an experienced upgrade in the free agent market. According to Kawakami, Klay Thompson, a talented player for the Golden State Warriors, is a player to watch on the Magic.
One of the league’s worst-kept secrets is that Orlando, which has a ton of young talent but lacks shooters, may make Klay a very big financial offer next summer, according to Kawakami.
Thompson, a career 41.3 percent 3-point shooter, would be a fantastic addition to the Magic. In addition to providing the team with a skill set that it lacks, Thompson has a ton of NBA playoff and championship experience, which the Orlando squad does not have.
Even Thompson’s present form, which isn’t as productive as it was prior to injuries sidelining him for two full seasons, would be a significant improvement for the Magic. Equipped with copious amounts of contract room this offseason, Orlando should aim to defy the conventional wisdom that it is not a desirable destination for NBA free agents.
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