Key storylines: Can Magic continue its momentum of consistent growth as it matures?

Title: The Secret Life of No. 11 No. 11 had always been a mysterious figure in the town. No one knew much about them, as they kept to themselves and rarely interacted with others. But little did the townspeople know, there was a whole secret life hidden behind the doors of No. 11. In the day, No. 11 seemed like just an ordinary house on the street. But as the sun set and darkness fell, a whole new world came alive within its walls. No. 11 was home to a secret society of artists, musicians, and performers who came together to create magic under the cover of night. Inside No. 11, the walls were adorned with vibrant paintings, the air filled with the sound of music and laughter, and the scent of creativity lingered in every corner. The members of this secret society found solace and inspiration in each other's company, creating beautiful works of art that the world outside could never imagine. As the town slept, No. 11 transformed into a haven of creativity and expression, where individuals who felt like outsiders in the daylight found a place where they truly belonged. The secret life of No. 11 was a hidden gem in the community, a place where magic happened behind closed doors. And so, the mysterious figure of No. 11 remained an enigma to the townspeople, who could never have imagined the vibrant, colorful world that existed within its walls. The secret life of No. 11 was a testament to the power of art, community, and the beauty that can be found in the most unexpected of places.

The Magic are

trajecting

upward? What’s the next step?

22. 34. 47.

Three seasons. A 25-game improvement. A seven-game slugfest during the first taste of playoff action.

The Magic have developed alongside coach

Jamahl Mosley

, who has this youthful squad fully bought in on defense (which is often tricky for up-and-coming teams to do). Now that they’re locked in around Paolo

Banchero’s

soaring potential, it’s time to make that hardest of jumps into

top-4

territory and annual contention.

Everything here banks on the offense rising toward that suffocating defense. Orlando allowed 110.8 points per 100 possessions (No. 3 in the NBA), a full wave of the wand from 18th (113.7) a season prior. The Magic have size up front:

Banchero and

Franz Wagner are each 6-foot-10 as are the re-upped Wendell Carter Jr. (three years), Moritz Wagner (two years) and Jonathan Isaac (five years).

(Of note:

Orlando Magic president of basketball operations 

Jeff

Weltman

and general manager Anthony Parker managed to

re-negotiate and extend

Isaac into a declining deal to help cushion against the apron.)

In the backcourt, Jalen Suggs finally turned in a full season and his 3-point percentage climbed to 39.7% (from 21.4% as a rookie and 32.7% in 2022-23), solidifying the lead guard’s starring role. Cole Anthony is now firmly established as a bench sparkplug, and 2023 No. 8 pick Anthony Black awaits opportunity, enough so that Markelle Fultz was not re-signed.

Seeking championship experience, the Magic tapped into their cap space and picked up Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as the starting 2-guard. He’s expected to provide switchable D along with the 3-pointes as a career 36.9% shooter (and 40.3% — on 4.3 attempts — for the last five seasons).

Our John

Schuhmann

recently analyzed

how

Banchero

is key to improving the offense’s unpredictability. A

bounce-back

campaign from maxed-out Franz Wagner, whose points and efficiency dipped unexpectedly in Year 3, will determine the true ceiling.

The expectations have risen, and another first-round exit will be considered a step back. Even weathering more considered efforts on a nightly basis, there’s no reason the Magic can’t elevate out of the East’s middle to take advantage of injuries or inconsistency at the

top, though just looking at the numbers, a third straight double-digit improvement is unlikely … or is it?

* * *

Ben Couch is director, editorial content for NBA.com.

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