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The NBA's free agency period has settled down after a whirlwind start to July, with LeBron James' decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers serving as the headline move. The Eastern Conference has arguably seen the most impactful transactions, and there's a growing case that it could be the stronger conference this season.
While additional moves remain possible, the seismic shifts of James heading East to join the 76ers and Giannis Antetokounmpo being dealt to the Miami Heat have already tipped the balance of power. This development does not bode well for the Orlando Magic.
Following James' choice, Law Murray of The Athletic compiled power rankings for all 30 NBA teams, placing Orlando at No. 18, which projects them as below average. Murray acknowledges the Magic's physicality as an asset but asserts that this upcoming season represents the final opportunity for the Banchero-Wagner pairing to prove itself.
If that assessment holds, the pressure on Orlando for the 2026-27 campaign intensifies significantly. However, barring a catastrophic collapse, it seems unlikely that this will be the end for Wagner and Banchero together.
Key Analysis
The Magic's front office, led by Jeff Weltman, holds considerable faith in this core when healthy. Weltman has highlighted that Wagner will finally have an offseason without international commitments in Germany, suggesting that if Wagner maintains availability and delivers strong production, he will remain a fixture. Wagner's value is undeniable when healthy, as 6-foot-10 wings capable of guarding multiple positions while posting All-Star-caliber offensive numbers are rare.
Weltman is not known for making franchise-altering moves frequently; his most significant trade since taking over in 2017 was acquiring Desmond Bane in June 2025. Thus, moving on from a cornerstone like Wagner by next offseason seems improbable. There is even stronger commitment to Banchero, who will earn over $41 million as his rookie max extension kicks in, and he has expressed dedication to elevating his game, as seen in a recent appearance on the Stephen A. Smith show.
If the team struggles, it's more likely they would part with Jalen Suggs, whose value is easier to quantify and trade. While Suggs is an elite defender, his injury history and inconsistent offense—highlighted by a first-round playoff meltdown against the Detroit Pistons, where he averaged 11.1 points on 29.9% shooting from the field and 24.1% from three over seven games—make him expendable.
Ultimately, the Magic are unlikely to sacrifice size and All-Star production, even if the season ends in disappointment. With new head coach Sean Sweeney at the helm for his first year, the current core will likely be given additional time to develop together.
Originally reported by yahoo.