The 2024-25 NBA season was marred by unfortunate injury luck for the Orlando Magic. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner missed portions of the season with oblique injuries. The team’s most reliable reserve, Mo Wagner, tore his ACL right before Christmas. However, Jalen Suggs’ season-ending knee injury was the most impactful because, after January, the Magic were without their best defender and third scoring option on offense.
Magically avoiding the 3-point revolution
Orlando’s calling card is its defense. While that’s vital for real-life hoops, it’s not as helpful for fantasy. The Magic play at the slowest pace in the league and are bottom-three in 3s made and attempted. It’s okay to play slow-look at the Boston Celtics. What’s not okay is playing slow and not maximizing your possessions. That’s the issue with the Magic — once Suggs went down, the team didn’t have enough 3-point shooters or consistent playmakers to initiate offense outside Banchero and Wagner. The Magic need to address both areas in the offseason, and that is why there isn’t a single player to target in fantasy drafts next season besides those two.
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The dynamic duo
With two All-Stars leading the way, I’d have no qualms about drafting Banchero or Wagner for next season. Banchero is a top-20 option in points leagues, and I’d be fine drafting him near the fifth round in 9-cat leagues because you still have to deal with his volatile free-throw shooting and turnovers. Wagner seems to be dealing with a case of the yips on his 3s, and yet he still put up career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, 3s made and FT% in his fourth NBA season. So, target Banchero in points leagues and Wagner in 9-cat since Wagner’s efficiency is more sustainable.
Stay tuned as we dissect more playoff exits, one team at a time, and help you dominate your draft board.
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