Why the Orlando Magic’s Struggles Beyond Banchero and Wagner Could Doom Your Fantasy Team This Season
The 2024-25 campaign for the Orlando Magic felt less like a season and more like a string of unfortunate events. Injuries plagued their roster, with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner battling oblique strains that kept them sidelined intermittently. Then, near Christmas, the team’s dependable bench stalwart Mo Wagner was struck down with a devastating ACL tear — an agonizing blow. But the gut punch came in January when Jalen Suggs went down with a season-ending knee injury, robbing Orlando of their lockdown defender and crucial third offensive option. Suddenly, the Magic found themselves scrambling, trying to plug huge holes amid a demanding schedule.
Ready or not, the team’s identity—its defensive rigor—stood out, but in this era of pace-and-space, that wasn’t exactly a blessing. Playing at the slowest clip in the league while neglecting the 3-point shot left Orlando on the wrong side of modern basketball’s evolution. Without Suggs, the squad lacked sharp-shooters and steady playmakers, aside from Banchero and Wagner. This off-season, the Magic face an urgent need to revamp their roster and rekindle a more dynamic offense. For fantasy enthusiasts, it’s a tough pill—except for those two stars, there’s scant reason to dive in next year.
Stay tuned as we dissect more playoff exits, one team at a time, and help you dominate your draft board.
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.Advertisement
The dynamic duo
AdvertisementWith 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.
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