This off-season was another step in the right direction. Getting closer to the vision that Jeff Weltman and the Orlando Magic had when they began a rebuild at the trade deadline about three and a half years ago. The biggest moment for the franchise was when they drafted Duke alum Paolo Banchero in 2022 as their No. 1 pick. Standing at 6’10 and just 21 years old, Banchero has proven to be the cornerstone the ‘Sunshine State’ had been searching for.

Along with Banchero, a core of young, driven players like the Wagner brothers, Franz and Moritz, Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, and a others put Magic on the map. Their 2023-24 season saw a 13-win improvement from the previous one, finishing as the fifth seed in the East. Entering the playoffs, Jamahl Mosley and his boys gave the Cavs a run for their money, taking them all the way to seven games, eventually accepting defeat 4-3.

But they did it. This young group ensured everyone knew they were a top contender among the Eastern teams. And it seems like the Magic plan to continue this form until they win their first ring! Joining ESPN’s First Take with Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim, and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, Paolo Banchero shared the key factor that will help them eventually reach their ultimate goal.

“I think getting KCP (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope) is going to help us a lot. That’s a guy that’s won two championships in the last five seasons. He’s been around some of the greatest of all time, so he’s going to be able to come out and make a huge difference for us,” he said.

The Orlando Magic had the cap space to lure any free agent to their team. And if that wasn’t enough, their competitive team sealed the deal for a veteran looking for a grand finish. But there was a catch, one that ended in a failed Klay Thompson pursuit.

Paolo Banchero makes a bold claim for the Magic after unsuccessful Klay Thompson quest

Having settled on Banchero as the franchise lynchpin, Orlando focused on building a championship team around the young forward. And this year was perfect. The free agency was brimming with talent, ripe for plucking. Elite names like Paul George, Klay Thompson, and Malik Monk were particularly of interest to a team with more than enough cap space.

Yahoo! Sports senior insider Jake Fischer reported in mid-June that “Orlando indeed holds intentions of pursuing a veteran guard/wing who can space the floor around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, without commanding too much on-ball oxygen.” However, they aimed to offer short-term contracts similar to the 2-year, $22 million deal they gave Joe Ingles (now with the Wolves) last offseason.

And that wasn’t something these men were too keen on. Given that Monk re-signed with the Kings, that left PG and Thompson. Considering neither of these NBA veterans was willing to negotiate, the Magic turned to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – a three-year $66 million deal with a player option in the final year.

With the kind of improvements displayed by the Magic year after year, it’s understandable that the addition of a championship-caliber, 3-and-D wing like KCP would naturally increase their confidence. And it was quite apparent in the 2023 ROTY’s remark. “We’re trying to make some noise. I think we should easily be a top four, top three team and have a chance to win the East.” 

Now, this is not just overconfidence. The 21-year-old is simply stating the possibility of a reality that could easily come to fruition if the Magic continues what they are doing now.

Well, what do you make of it? Do you see a legitimate chance of this group bringing Orlando its very first championship? Let us know in the comments.

 Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.