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By Anne Erickson
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Halloween decorations are already starting to pop up at local stores, at least where this reporter lives, and that means one thing: October is on the way.
In other words, the NBA season is just a few short months ahead.
So, let's talk about the Orlando Magic. this team isn't searching for a complete overhaul. They already have the talent. Now the challenge is figuring out how to turn that talent into a team that can make a deeper playoff run.
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Going into the fresh season, their biggest change comes on the sideline. Orlando hired Sean Sweeney as its new head coach, giving him the task of taking a defense that was already one of the league's better units and pushing it to another level. But the bigger question might be on the other end of the floor. The Magic need to find a way to make Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane consistently work together.
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So, that won't happen overnight. Adding another talented player doesn't always solve everything, especially when multiple stars are learning how to share the spotlight.
The Magic also brought back a familiar face in Nikola Vucevic. The veteran center returns to Orlando after leaving the franchise years ago, and his skill set could address one of the team's biggest issues.
That's where Vucevic could help. He gives Orlando another option inside, but he also brings something the Magic have needed: spacing. His career 35% shooting from 3-point range can open up the floor for Banchero, Wagner and the rest of the offense.
Orlando also added Izaiyah Nelson through the draft while losing Moritz Wagner in free agency.
So, this season feels less about adding more pieces and more about getting the existing ones to work together. The Magic have invested heavily in their young core, and now the expectations are starting to rise.
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As for the next step, it's figuring out whether this group can handle the pressure that comes with being viewed as a legitimate contender.
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