The Orlando Magic's offseason has been viewed as a big success by many. The team acquired Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane in a blockbuster deal and inked star forward Paolo Banchero to a maximum contract extension worth $239 million. However, the two rookies added look to be an important piece of the puzzle as well.
Bleacher Report released an article, predicting how each NBA team’s rookie class would fare this season. The two Magic rookies highlighted in the article were first-round pick Jase Richardson and Noah Penda.
"If Richardson is ready for an NBA role, there's nothing stopping him from snagging one in Orlando," the article wrote. "Even after paying a premium for Desmond Bane and signing Tyus Jones, the Magic are desperate for spacers—they were last in both three-point makes and three-point percentage last season. Richardson, who shot 41.2 percent from range during his lone season at Michigan State, could help this offense breathe. Shooting alone won't get him fourth-guard duties, though. Growing as a playmaker might."
Richardson, the son of former NBA star Jason Richardson, figures to be a piece of the Magic rotation. However, he joins the team at a time where the guard rotation is somewhat crowded. Jalen Suggs, Bane and Anthony Black will see most of the backcourt minutes. Black, especially, has been receiving praise this offseason and has been the recipient of breakout season predictions. Richardson was drafted in the first round so he should crack the initial roster rather than the G-League affiliate.
"Penda looks like a Magic player—maybe too much like one," the article added. "He's a long, nimble, versatile defender with a work-in-progress jumper. He theoretically fits the system, but it'll be hard to find consistent minutes for him alongside Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero without serious strides made as a spacer."
Penda, the No. 32 overall pick originally drafted by the Boston Celtics, is extremely versatile. The 20-year-old was amongst one of the best overseas prospects from France, continuing the trend of notable French prospects following No. 1 overall picks Victor Wembanyama and Zacharie Risacher. Penda might have his work cut out for him behind Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jonathan Isaac in terms of the forward rotation.
The Magic have one of the deeper rosters in basketball. If the team can stay relatively healthy unlike last season, it may take some time to see Richardson and Penda get meaningful minutes.