The Orlando Magic are entering a pivotal offseason, and for the first time in their young careers, stars Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs will take the court under a new head coach. It's been just 10 days since the Magic parted ways with Jamahl Mosley, the team's 15th head coach, and the search for his replacement remains tightly under wraps, led by president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman.
Mosley's tenure saw the Magic go 189-221 over five regular seasons, with playoff appearances in each of the last three years—but no trips past the first round. Now, the franchise faces a summer of big decisions that go beyond just hiring a new sideline leader.
One of the biggest storylines revolves around the roster. Less than a year ago, Orlando made a blockbuster trade on Father's Day, acquiring Desmond Bane from the Grizzlies in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, and four future first-round draft picks. That deal, which came out of nowhere during the NBA Finals between Indiana and eventual champion Oklahoma City, reshaped the team's core. But it also limited Orlando's flexibility moving forward.
The Magic already have about $173 million in salary committed to their starting lineup of Banchero, Wagner, Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr., and Bane. That financial reality makes another major trade more likely than a splash in free agency. However, with fewer tradable first-round picks after the Bane deal, any big move will require creativity. Weltman has made it clear he doesn't want to "dismantle" the roster based on how this season ended.
Orlando also has three open roster spots to fill, with Moe Wagner, Jevon Carter, and Jett Howard all heading into unrestricted free agency. Weltman has hinted at a dual approach: exploring both "major moves" and "smaller nibbles" this summer. He specifically mentioned "rounding out the roster with veteran guys that know how to come in and win."
While those additions might not grab headlines, they could be exactly what the Magic need. Orlando's bench ranked 26th in scoring last season, a glaring weakness that held the team back. Adding experienced, reliable depth could make all the difference as the Magic look to take the next step—whether that's with a new coach, a tweaked roster, or both.