The Orlando Magic enter an offseason with substantial cap space and future draft capital that could allow them to build out their roster around Paolo Banchero.

While the Magic could theoretically add a guard that can stretch the floor be dynamic with the ball, they would only want to do in a way that doesn't compromise their defense.

“[The front office] wants two-way guys who add to what we already have in terms of our defensive identity, length and versatility,” Banchero said in a profile by Ben Golliver of the Washington Post. “Shooting is a big part of what we need to improve on, whether we go and get somebody or try to develop guys. I don’t know which way they’re going to approach that. And having a guy who can set the table and be reliable. We have a lot of talented guys who can make shots and make plays: me, Franz [Wagner] and Jalen Suggs. I would rather be more of an offensive hub than the point guard, if that makes sense.”

Banchero averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in the regular season, but he increased that production in the playoffs by posting 27.0 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

Host Danny Leroux talks with Kevin Pelton of ESPN (@kpelton.bsky.social) about the NBA playoffs.

They break down each of the four second-round series in terms of the key matchups, swing factors and much more plus other NBA discussion.

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The Orlando Magic will be active in the offseason to upgrade their roster, especially with perimeter shooting and Klay Thompson is one player on their radar. The Magic can create upwards of $60 million in cap space.

"One name to keep any eye on is Klay Thompson," said Shams Charania. "I'm told there is mutual interest between the Magic and Klay Thompson."

Thompson is entering free agency for the first time since 2019 and his future with the Golden State Warriors is uncertain. The Warriors are expected to try to reduce their payroll and luxury tax this offseason. 

Paul George is widely expected to decline his $48.8 million player option for next season with the LA Clippers. After LA signed Kawhi Leonard to an extension, it was thought that George and the Clippers would agree to an extension. However, that hasn't happened, and George now appears poised to enter free agency this summer.

Two teams with known interest in George are the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams have the ability to create the necessary cap space to sign the veteran wing to a deal worth up to his projected max salary of just over $49 million dollars for 2024-25.

George has continued to express he'd like to re-sign with LA. The Clippers have reportedly not offered him a max deal, and that's held things up. LA hopes that George, like Leonard did, will take less than the maximum to allow the team to dip below the second apron. That would free up the Clippers to make more roster moves to add talent around their stars.

The NBA announced the finalists for 2023-24 Coach of the Year. The finalists are Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic.

Daigneault led the Thunder to the best regular season record in the Western Conference. Oklahoma City improved from 40 wins and losing in the Play-In Tournament to 57 wins and the top seed in the playoffs.

Finch guided the Timberwolves from 42 wins and the eighth seed to 56 wins and the third seed in the Western Conference.

Mosley led the Magic to the first playoff appearance since 2020. Orlando improved from 22 wins in 2021-22 to 34 wins last season to 47 wins this season. The Magic also won the Southeast Division for the first time since 2018-19.

The Eastern Conference seeds are set following the end of regular season on Sunday. The first round begins on Saturday, April 20th.

First Round Matchups

• No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 8 (Sixers, Heat, Bulls or Hawks)

• No. 2 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 (Sixers or Heat)

• No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers

• No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Orlando Magic

Play-In

• No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 8 Miami Heat

• No. 9 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 10 Atlanta Hawks

The Orlando Magic and head coach Jamahl Mosley have agreed to a four-year contract extension. Mosley's new deal will run through the 2027-28 season.

In two-plus seasons as Orlando's head coach, Mosley has a 93-136 record. Under Mosley's watch, the Magic have steadily improved from 22 wins in 2021-22 to 34 wins last season. Orlando has already won 37 games this season.

The Magic are in contention for the team's first playoff berth since 2020. Orlando opens play on Tuesday in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

MRI results on Jonathan Isaac's leg and knee showed no significant injuries, according to the Orlando Magic.

Isaac is questionable for Tuesday's game with a left knee strain.

Isaac is averaging 6.2 points and 4.2 rebounds on the season.

The Orlando Magic have been "increasingly mentioned" as a potential landing spot for Klay Thompson this summer, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Thompson is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

The Magic could have as much as $45 million in cap space if they decide to move on from Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, and Jonathan Isaac.

The Charlotte Hornets are continuing to look to re-trade Kyle Lowry, sources told Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Lowry has been linked with several teams should he get bought out, including the Sixers, Lakers, and Magic.

Stein adds that the Sixers still have interest in signing Lowry should he get bought out despite the uncertainty surrounding Joel Embiid's injury.