Orlando Magic's Noah Penda Reflects on 'Longest Offseason' Of Career

Full Court Magic host Don Strouble discussed with  RJ Saunders of 1010XL Magic the evolution of Penda and Richardson as players and what they can do for this team. Here is what he had to say:

"Yeah, I think that they've both grown tremendously in terms of the mental side of the game and the physical side of the game. They've done what it takes. I was at the media availability just before they left for Vegas, and Jase Richardson is really trying to hone in on his weaknesses.

"He's trying to become a better defender. He's trying to become a better facilitator for his team. It's the same thing with Noah Penda; basically, talking about all those rookie mistakes, you've got to get them out of the way in year two."

During Orlando Magic Media Day, Penda reflected on the 'longest offseason' of his career.

Penda described the offseason as the longest of his life, giving him several months to reflect on his rookie season and prepare for Year 2. After spending two weeks in France with his family, he returned to Orlando to work with the coaching staff ahead of Summer League while also bringing in a chef to help improve his diet.

His two main goals were preparing his body for the upcoming season and improving his shooting. Penda spent hours in the gym each day working on those areas, describing the process as a step-by-step journey that came with frustrating moments. He was pleased with what he showed during Summer League and continued working on his conditioning after a brief trip back to France. Returning to Orlando about a month and a half ago, he began familiarizing himself with the new coaching staff and playbook while preparing for his second NBA season.

Penda said his decision to lose weight came from reflecting on his rookie season and recognizing the importance of maintaining the right pace throughout an NBA season. Although he had previously wanted to shed some pounds, seeing young players leave teams or get traded before completing their rookie contracts made him realize how quickly an NBA career can change.

That realization motivated him to address his conditioning early in his career rather than put it off. Penda wants to maintain those improvements throughout his time in the league and avoid wasting opportunities to develop while he is still young.

Penda said he met with Sweeney before Summer League and had several conversations with the new head coach about his expected role. He appreciated Sweeney's approach to player development, particularly the idea that roles aren't fixed and can evolve throughout the season.

Sweeney outlined an initial set of expectations while emphasizing that the coaching staff would continue helping Penda work toward his goals. Penda said he values the opportunity to grow without being limited by a predetermined ceiling, with the understanding that his responsibilities could change as he develops and earns new opportunities.