The Orlando Magic's championship window is starting to open, but patience isn't on their side anymore. Given the current collective bargaining agreement, the time to compete has been cut short. The Oklahoma City Thunder won the championship and extended their top players in Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams to massive extensions. The franchise needed to retain its core pieces long-term, but with apron restrictions and penalties, Sam Presti will have to make difficult decisions at some point.
The Magic already extended their core pieces in Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner, then did the same for up-and-coming superstar Paolo Banchero. The organization understood that the time to go for a championship was now. They have proven to go "all-in" after the blockbuster trade to acquire Desmond Bane.
As the Eastern Conference is currently in a weak state, the Magic have an opportunity to take advantage and reach the Finals for the first time since 2009.
Last season, the roster experienced massive injuries from top to bottom. Most notably, Banchero and Wagner suffered oblique injuries. The absence of both stars held the Magic back from reaching higher success.
After both players returned, the injury bug took another big bite with All-Defensive guard Jalen Suggs. He was dealing with back spasms in early Jan, then suffered a knee injury, which kept him sidelined for the rest of the season.
The Magic felt the absence of Suggs as the team went 19-26 without him after his initial injury. He was having a career year: averaging 16.2 points, four rebounds, 3.7 assists, while shooting 41 percent from the field, 31.4 percent from three-point range.
Suggs is expected to be ready for training camp, which is coming soon, but can he get back on the trajectory he was on before injuries took place? A case could be made that there is pressure for the former lottery pick to take another leap.
The Magic have championship aspirations and can't take any shortcomings lightly. After the upcoming season, the organization will find itself slightly over the second apron. The penalties don't take effect right away, but they will limit how they're allowed to conduct business. If the team doesn't prove that they can compete for a championship year after year, Suggs might get placed on the trade block.
Suggs' contract extension will start to kick into the Magic's finances this upcoming season. He's set to make $150.5 million over five years, with an annual salary of $30.1 million. Suggs has played fewer than 60 games in three out of four years in the league.
If Suggs can't prove that he can produce for a championship-contending team and stay on the court, Jeff Weltman may be forced to make a drastic decision.