It’s clear the Orlando Magic have their sights set on an NBA championship this season and in the years ahead. Despite having a young roster, president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman believes this group can develop and grow together into a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic boast one of the youngest starting lineups in the league, with Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. all under the age of 30. This youth provides Orlando with an energetic spark, especially come playoff time. This also gives them valuable room to grow and mature.
Jeff Weltman went all-in this offseason, highlighted by trades for Bane and Tyus Jones. Even with a young roster, his expectations for the season are clear.
“We have such high hopes for this group, not just this year, but going forward, because we are so young and part of the youth,” Weltman said during Media Day. “That is exactly what you're alluding to. How do you handle the expectations? How do you handle all these pats on the back? It's a young group, and I think that they have to process all that stuff together.”
“I think our coaches have done an amazing job messaging that we haven't earned anything. We haven't done anything yet. I think our players know that. They know that everything that they get has to be earned, and I think that the addition of our two veterans this year will only help kind of spread that message.”
Although the Magic made several major acquisitions this offseason, one move stands above the rest, the extension of superstar forward Banchero. It’s clear the organization’s goal is to win within his timeline.
“We got to win,” Weltman added. “We're paying these guys because we want to win. And Paolo knows that.”
“If you were to ask him, it's an easy answer. As I alluded to earlier, like when you say, like these guys are 22, 23, 21 years old, you just anticipate growth at some point. You know, even a 29-year-old can get better, but not at the same pace that you expect these young guys to get better. And that's kind of what's exciting about our team.”
“You know that a lot of our core guys are under contract for many years, and that they have the internal drive to win, even if that means sacrifice. They're going to work, they're going to make each other better. But if it means sacrificing, they'll do whatever it takes to win. And so that's honestly the next step for all these guys.”
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