FRESH off making a blockbuster trade earlier today, the Orlando Magic will now be looking to make the most of their opportunities at the draft, starting with the 2025 intake in the coming weeks, which will take place in Chicago.

The Magic have been building as one of the stronger sides in the Western Conference, having acquired star players in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner and progressed into an exciting young team capable of making a splash in the playoffs.

The Magic were eliminated in the first round by the second-seeded Boston Celtics, after Orlando managed a record of 41-41, which was good enough for the seventh seed, although they struggled against a quality roster who had plenty of playoff experience.

However, the trajectory of their future plans changed in the past 24 hours, trading for guard Desmond Bane, and coughing up a whopping four first round draft picks as well as some players in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony to do so.

Now, the Magic’s draft strategy will look a little different after indicating they are in win-now mode, and will be eager to make the most of their selections in Chicago.

Orlando Magic

Draft Selections

25, 46, 57

Contracted Players

Jonathan Isaac, Paolo Banchero (team option), Wendell Carter Jr., Moritz Wagner (team option), Jalen Suggs, Goga Bitadze, Anthony Black (team option), Gary Harris (team option), Franz Wagner, Jett Howard (team option), Tristan Da Silva, Cory Joseph (team option), Caleb Houstan (team option), Desmond Bane

The Magic undoubtedly have a strong core for the future, largely now built around Banchero, Franz Wagner and Bane, who will prove a massive big three. Bane’s inclusion adds spacing to the floor which immediately addresses a key need for the team.

With all three players set to be on hefty contracts in the coming years, adding young pieces through the draft will be a key way of maintaining a strong roster without breaking the bank. Although they lost pick 16 in today’s trade, Orlando still boasts a first round selection.

With pick 25, the Magic could look to add to their shooting, which may still be an issue despite the addition of Bane. It may be wise to do so through in the forwards department, and they have the leniency to allow the player to develop in the coming years given Banchero and Wagner will be starting in these positions.

If Rasheer Fleming is still on the board, he could certainly be the move for the Magic as a three-and-D option for the coming years. An immensely talented defender who brings plenty of effort and energy on that side of the ball, he can learn from Isaac, who has been a strong defender throughout his career as well.

On the perimeter, Fleming is extremely dangerous out of the catch and shoot, and would benefit from defenders being drawn into his star teammates. If he can make the most of the wide open looks he will likely get, Fleming could be a dangerous two-way prospect.

Another option could be Will Riley, who would fit the Magic’s timeline as he may take some developing before he can truly tap in at the top level. At his best, Riley is one of the best shotmaking wings in the draft crop, but he does have some work to do.

At six-foot-eight, he undoubtedly has the scoring talent to make an impact in the NBA, and if he can become more damaging when driving inside the paint, he will become a three-level scoring threat in the coming years.

With their final two picks in the draft, expect the Magic to take the best available players, given most of the holes on their roster are currently filled, but a backup big man could be the move, opening the door for Australia’s Rocco Zikarsky.