Last season, the Orlando Magic could have been one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference had injuries not derailed their trajectory. Both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner missed significant time due to oblique injuries. Five players on the roster managed to appear in at least 70 games, including Goga Bitadze.
The six-year veteran center made the most of his opportunity and finished with a career season. He averaged 7.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, two assists, and shot 61.1 percent from the field in 70 appearances. After the season-ending ACL injury of Moe Wagner in mid-Dec, the Magic were able to rely on Bitadze as their primary backup center.
After an early playoff exit, the former first-round pick decided to participate in the EuroBasket tournament and compete for Team Georgia. Bitadze showed a significant improvement in his game, bringing optimism to the Magic for the upcoming season.
In six matches, he averaged 15.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and shot 58.1 percent from the field. The area in which Bitadze shocked the basketball world was his three-point shooting. The Georgian big man shot 36.4 percent from behind the arc. That is significantly higher compared to his career in the NBA, 23 percent.
Team Georgia reached the quarter-finals for the first time in men's national basketball history, but lost to Lauri Markkanen and Team Finland. Bitadze played a massive role in their success, leading the team in points and blocks per game.
In a matchup against Cyprus, Bitadze recorded 21 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks, and made four three-pointers out of seven attempts.
If these excellent performances translate to the upcoming NBA season, it further unlocks the Magic's offense. The organization acquired Desmond Bane in a blockbuster trade in hopes of improving their three-point shooting, which ranked among the worst in the league last season. If Bitadze manages to keep his long-distance range, it makes the team a much bigger threat in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic have one of the most underrated center depths in the league: Wendell Carter Jr., Bitadze, Wagner, and Orlando Robinson, who is currently on a two-way contract. The organization took extra precautions after the injury-riddled season they just had.
Given how young the team is, it's likely that Carter Jr. remains as the starter, especially if his three-point shooting returns to the trajectory it was on. However, Bitadze could still be the backup after training camp and help lift the team to new heights.
The Magic have championship aspirations for the upcoming season and could prove to be a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference sooner than expected, behind the new arsenal of Bitadze.