#5 – Orlando Magic – 2013-14: 23-59, 5th place in the Southeast
Projected starters: Elfrid Payton (PG), Victor Oladipo (SG), Tobias Harris (SF), Andrew Nicholson (PF), Nikola Vucevic (C)
To say that the Magic won the Dwight Howard trade long-term is an understatement, as they still have Vucevic and used the pick they got from the Nuggets for Payton, while the Lakers and Nuggets don’t have anything to show for that deal, and the Sixers only have the rotting corpse of Jason Richardson remaining. So that’s a plus. With some talented young pieces around Vucevic, the future looks bright for the Magic; it’s the present that is a problem.
How it can go right: On the court, Vucevic, has been a double-double machine for the Magic, doing so in 82 out of 134 games played over the last two seasons (more than Anthony Davis – 56 out of 131 games). Vucevic has averaged 13.6 points and 11.5 rebounds per game over his two years in Orlando, so he’ll definitely make opposing bigs work in the paint. But he also can do his damage outside the paint, so it’s not like he’s anchored in there the whole time.
The Magic core is one of youth, with Payton (a dark horse Rookie of the Year candidate), Nicholson, Harris, Evan Fournier, and first round pick Aaron Gordon vying for a chance to show what their worth, so this team could be fun. But the crown jewel of their youth movement is shooting guard Oladipo, who now has the position all to himself, after the trade of Aaron Afflalo, and can improve upon his 13.8 ppg, 4.1 apg, 4.1 rpg, as he’s drawn some comparisons to a young Dwyane Wade.
The problem is…
How it can go wrong: Olapido is out the first month of the season with a facial fracture suffered in practice. I guess an injury is one way to compare yourself to Wade. In all seriousness, this puts a halt on the growth of the Magic with their best wing player on the shelf. This should slot Fournier into a starting role, while giving more minutes to Ben Gordon (stop laughing).
Speaking of injuries, Luke Ridnour and Channing Frye are both dealing with injuries. Any time without either of these veterans means the kids are going to get their lumps sooner rather than later. Might be better for the long haul, but this season could be rocky.
First month (or so) of games: @New Orleans, Washington, Toronto, @Chicago, @Philly, Minnesota, @Brooklyn, @Toronto, @New York, Milwaukee, @Washington, @Detroit, Clippers, @Charlotte, Miami, @Cleveland, Golden State, @Indiana, @Phoenix.
Yikes! That doesn’t look like a fun way to start a season. Orlando could be 0-4 heading into Philadelphia, and possibly 5-14 (depending how you feel about the Wolves and Pacers) by the end of the month. That game against the Pacers actually starts a 6-game road trip that will also include games against the Clippers and Warriors.
Win/Loss Predication: 27-55. The Olapido injury sets them back, plus they’re rolling out young guys to play pivotal roles this season, but I’ll say they finish better than last year. They should be an interesting team to watch if you have NBA League Pass.