This offseason, wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope departed from the Denver Nuggets after two seasons to affix the Orlando Magic on a three-year, $66 million contract. The Magic are contemporary off their finest marketing campaign in years. Final season, they ended the season with a 47-35 file and earned the No. 5 seed within the East. Moreover, they practically gained their first playoff collection since 2010, dropping to the Cleveland Cavaliers within the first spherical in a seven-game collection. The Magic are a rising staff with numerous potential. By including Caldwell-Pope, a two-time champion, the Magic are aiming to make an additional push to inch nearer to title competition. And now, simply a few weeks earlier than the 2024-25 season kicks off, Caldwell-Pope has revealed why he signed with the Magic.
Per The Athletic (subscription required), the 32-year-old mentioned that his household was his largest precedence relating to his free company resolution. Moreover, Caldwell-Pope mentioned he felt he match one of the best in Orlando. He additionally cited his alternative to “make an instantaneous influence” as a cause he joined the Magic.
“For me, I prioritized my household, first. That’s the principle factor, placing me and my household in an excellent place. Additionally, simply speaking to my agent, getting all of the numbers, that aspect of that. And the staff and the group, the place I really feel I slot in finest, the place I believe I could make an instantaneous influence.”
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Explains Why He Signed With the Magic
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s Match With the Orlando Magic
Because it stands, Caldwell-Pope will seemingly begin for the Magic at capturing guard this season. Moreover, his two-way model of play and total balanced sport ought to profit the Magic instantly. Subsequent to Jalen Suggs, the 2 make up probably the greatest defensive backcourts within the NBA. Final season, the Magic ended as probably the greatest defensive groups within the league. Their 111.3 Defensive Score was second-best within the NBA. Moreover, they allowed simply 108.4 factors per sport, the fourth-best mark within the league. With the addition of Caldwell-Pope, Orlando is including an additional reinforcement to an space they’re already elite in.
The place the Orlando Magic Stand within the NBA
Led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the Magic needs to be a lock to make it again to the playoffs subsequent yr. Moreover, with their roster strikes, they need to take that subsequent step as a critical menace within the Jap Convention. On paper, the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers are groups who’re thought of to simply be higher than Orlando. Nevertheless, past these three, the remainder of the convention in huge open. The Magic seemingly sit within the tier proper under the highest three. This could rank them subsequent to groups just like the Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, and the Cavaliers.
