The Orlando Magic are predicted to be the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference this season.
The Eastern Conference is wide open.
This can be credited to a variety of factors, including injuries to superstars Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton as well as there simply being more talent in the Western Conference. All of this works heavily in favor of the Orlando Magic, as they are healthy and recently acquired star guard Desmond Bane to solve their biggest problem.
Because of this, FanSided boldly predicts the Magic will finish the 2025-2026 season as the No. 1 seed in the East.
"All this clears the path for a hungry Orlando Magic team. President Jeff Weltman pushed his chips in this offseason, acquiring Desmond Bane via trade and signing Tyus Jones in free agency," the article shared. "He also nailed the draft, selecting early All-Rookie favorite (and preseason standout) Jase Richardson. Also, Jalen Suggs is healthy now."
What is the issue that landing Bane solved? Perimeter shooting. The Magic now have the shooters around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner needed to succeed; it's just a matter of putting it all together on the floor.
"For a team that desperately needed shooting and playmaking support in the backcourt, Orlando's front office delivered beyond all reasonable expectations... Just don't be shocked when the Magic are hosting a lot of games in the playoffs," the article concluded.
Banchero and Wagner are entering their primes, so it's time to prove they're worthy of their lucrative contract extensions.
Magic Forward Predicted To Be Selected To All-Star Game
It's no secret the Western Conference is loaded with much more talent than the Eastern Conference, which could work in the favor of one Orlando Magic player.
Franz Wagner had easily the best campaign of his career in 2024-2025, so it's reasonable to assume similar if not better production this year. If that's the case, Wagner could absolutely earn his first All-Star selection, which Bleacher Report predicts to happen.
The article wrote, "His counting stats, likely produced for a team that will be among the East's top four in February, should be more than enough for him to join teammate Paolo Banchero in the All-Star Game."
He averaged 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals on 46.3% shooting in 60 games last season. The way for Wagner to push himself over the hump is by improving his shooting from the outside. The 24-year-old shot just 29.5% from three-point range last year.
"If the Magic really blow past expectations, there's even a shot they get three entries," the article shared. "Desmond Bane is one of the best active players to never make an All-Star appearance, and he has as good of a shot as ever now that he's playing in the East. Unfortunately for him, Wagner's status as an international player gives him a clear advantage."
"Somebody has to join Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama and Luka Dončić on the non-U.S. squad," the article concluded.
The door is wide open for Wagner to land in the All-Star game. All he has to do is capitalize on it.