The brand new NBA season is correct across the nook. To assist prepare for the 2024-25 marketing campaign, we’re taking a look at three questions every NBA workforce may face subsequent season.
Right here, we have now the Orlando Magic, who had been one of many shock packages of the 2023-24 season.
Can Franz Wagner repair his perimeter bounce shot?
Wagner is without doubt one of the high two skills on the Magic’s roster. He is a various ahead with all the talents to turn out to be an All-Star. Nevertheless, he is constantly struggled when taking pictures from the perimeter, with final season being the worst of his profession courtesy of a paltry 28.1% conversion fee on 4.6 makes an attempt per recreation.
Orlando wants Wagner to enhance from downtown. If he can turn out to be a 35-37% three-point menace, it is going to unlock the remainder of his offensive skillset and supply further spacing to the Magic’s offense. If he continues to battle, groups will assist off of him, permitting them to ship further our bodies at Paolo Banchero.
Germany additionally handled Wagner’s taking pictures points throughout the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer time. As some of the promising younger skills on the earth, Wagner’s three-point taking pictures would be the focus of many within the coming months.
Will Kentavious Caldwell-Pope elevate the roster?
Caldwell-Pope has gained two championships within the final 4 years. His first got here with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, and his second with the Nuggets in 2023. There is a motive why the Magic securing his signature this summer time was seen as a steal. Orlando will undoubtedly be hoping that his three-and-D skillset and championship expertise can assist elevate its roster to a brand new stage.
Orlando has added a veteran guard who has averaged north of 40% from deep for 3 of the final 4 seasons. He’s additionally a positionally versatile defender who will guarantee Jamahl Mosley has choices when constructing out his substitution patterns for the brand new season.
Caldwell-Pope could possibly be a catalyst for the Magic’s total progress within the coming years. It is going to be fascinating to see how a lot of an influence he makes and the place that influence is most prevalent.
Can Paolo Banchero enhance his effectivity?
Banchero is a future All-NBA expertise. He is all the things you need in a modern-day ahead and has already confirmed himself to be an elite scorer, rebounder and budding defender. Nevertheless, his inefficient offense has hindered Orlando’s offense, because it continues to force-feed him, hoping he can develop on the fly.
For reference, Banchero is taking pictures 48.3% from two-point vary, 32.1% from three-point vary and 73.1% from the free-throw line. These numbers should enhance throughout the board for a participant who’s cited as being a franchise cornerstone. Banchero must lean into his deep skillset relatively than counting on his measurement and physicality within the lane.
Nonetheless, if Banchero takes the coveted “third-year bounce,” Orlando may emerge as a real postseason menace. It has been working in direction of that consequence in recent times and is now ready for its younger stars to show they’re prepared for the problem.
