National Basketball Association

10 Predictions for the Orlando Magic Season

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel, center Bismack Biyombo (11), center Nikola Vucevic (9) and forward Serge Ibaka (7) pose for a photo during media day at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Orlando Magic enter the 2017 season with a lot of big expectations. There is also a ton of opportunity for success too. If these predictions occur…

The Orlando Magic made plenty of personnel changes this offseason in an attempt to change the franchise’s losing ways.

The offseason began with a changing of the coaching staff. A move which was followed by trading away the team’s face of the franchise. Ending with bringing in veterans to mentor and establish a winning culture.

New additions Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo, Jeff Green and D.J. Augustin each bring valuable playoff experience to a less experienced group of players. The expectations have been set for the team and the goal is the postseason.

But what exactly will the Orlando Magic become this season?

As the season gets set to begin Wednesday against the Miami Heat, no one is quite sure what to expect from this season. Just about anything seems possible.

It is incredibly exciting, and incredibly nerve-wracking.

With the 2017 journey set to begin, here are 10 predictions for the Magic and their upcoming season.

The Magic will finish the year as a top five defensive unit in points allowed per game and field goal percentage.

The Magic displayed what type of defensive team they could be when everyone buys into the defensive concept against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The team displayed a poor execution on defense in the first half giving up 62 points. The Magic came out in the second half with a different attitude.The team limited the Pelicans to 43 points in the second half, 20 in the fourth quarter.

When engaged, the Magic showed they can and will protect the rim, an area of weakness the team has had since the Dwight Howard era.

The offense appeared to feed off the stout defense. Baskets came easily as the Magic made perimeter stops and got out in transition. But the focus will have to be on keeping the defense priority one.

If the Magic can keep the foot on the defensive gas pedal then they will finish as a top five defensive team.

Prediction: 97.5 opponents points per game, 48 percent opponent field goal percentage.

Next: Go Big

Oct 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs center Dewayne Dedmon (3) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

At some point this season, Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo, and Nikola Vucevic will play at the same time in what will be a big lineup for Orlando.

Let’s face it, each big man brings a unique aspect to the team.

Nikola Vucevic’s low-post scoring and passing will allow the Magic to play inside-out basketball. Serge Ibaka’s floor spacing will make crowding the middle near impossible. While Bismack Biyombo’s defense and offensive rebounding ability will make teams prioritize keeping a body on him.

While it may not be a nightly lineup, all three could be used against a bigger team like the Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks or San Antonio Spurs.

In any case, the Magic will have a ton of flexibility and be able to match up with any team in the low post depending on who is hot that night. The Magic can play up or down to anybody with the skills these three have.

What the Magic will gain from such a lineup is versatility. The team can play one of the biggest front courts in the league. The trio together increase mismatches on offense while decreasing liabilities on defense.

Add Evan Fournier and Elfrid Payton to the mix and the Magic could be real interesting to watch.

Mar 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja (23) controls the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

If the Magic make a trade this season, Mario Hezonja most likely will be the outgoing player.

Last year, Orlando gambled on the 6-foot-8 Croatian with the fifth pick in the NBA Draft.

Recently, the team picked up his option for the 2018 year.

This year, the Magic may very well gamble against him again by trading him away. That is if a trade is to be made. There is a lot of pressure on the young player to produce and his struggles in the preseason do not provide a ton of confidence.

The only person who can prevent this trade is Mario Hezonja himself.

The Magic have pushed in the chips in to win now, while still developing young talent. The Magic will want to see that young talent make strides this year.

The issue is not that Hezonja is not talented enough. The issue is consistency. He will have to show some type of consistency if he wants to stay in Orlando.

Defensively, he gives up too much on second-chance hustle plays and offensively he finds himself standing around waiting on the ball to find him. He will have to find ways to stay active on both ends of the floor.

Billed as a shooter, Hezonja struggled to find any rhythm or accuracy under coach Scott Skiles. It is not clear what type of role he will carry this season.

Prediction: Magic trade Mario Hezonja after the 2017 season to move up in the draft.

Next: Block Party

The Magic will lead the league in blocked shots as a team.

Frank Vogel knows a thing or two about defense. He knows last year’s playoff teams finished as top defensive units — 10 of the top 11 defenses by defensive rating finished in the Playoffs.

How did Vogel show his commitment to developing the Magic into shot blocking machine?

Simple, acquire two of the best shot blockers in the game.

Most blocks will come from a combination of Bismack Biyombo and Serge Ibaka. But expect three to four blocks from the rest of the team as well. This team will experience games with double-digit blocks with the potential to set the record for total blocked shots and blocks per game of 716 and 8.6 set by the Washington Bullets in 1981.

Prediction: 8.3 team blocks per game

Next: Who scores the ball?

Oct 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) shoots against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Three players will come close to averaging 20 points per game

All summer, critics questioned the Orlando Magic offense. Well the preseason gave a few answers in a small sample size.

Evan Fournier should average more than 20 points a game. His mix of aggressiveness and versatility will make him tough to defend. He can drive to the rim to off the dribble, catch and shoot with a quick release and put pressure on the opposing teams on fastbreak opportunities.

Serge Ibaka showed his ability to knock down the three ball consistently and run the floor. His best shot, the mid-range turnaround jumper will increase his scoring average near 20 points per game.

Last, Nikola Vucevic should finally break 20 points per game. While he is a high-volume shooter, he now has others to reduce the pressure of him taking bad shots. Something he desperately needed. He has hovered around 18 points a game the last couple of seasons and needs to take the next step. If Vucevic can increase his free throw attempts, he will be the third Magic player this year to average near 20 points a game.

Projection: Evan Fournier 22 PPG, Serge Ibaka 18 PPG, Nikola Vucevic 21 PPG

Next: An All Star?

Oct 16, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha (25) shoots over Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Serge Ibaka will make the all-star team this year

Serge Ibaka is the only Magic player who can truly excel at both ends of the floor. This year, he will do just that.

Orlando will lean on him for offense while co-anchoring the defense. He will not make the team as a starter, but if Orlando can hold a winning record come mid-December, coaches could select him as a reserve.

Ibaka will have every opportunity to excel in a contract year as the Magic will want to see what Serge Ibaka could become for the future of the team. The All-Star Team will be just tip of the iceberg for Ibaka in a Magic uniform.

Projection: Serge Ibaka makes the all-star game as a reserve

Next: And one more? . . .

Oct 20, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) reacts to making a 3 point shot against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. The game went into overtime tied at 105. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Evan Fournier will also receive All-Star consideration

The NBA rewards winners. And Evan Fournier is a winner.

Each year Fournier has increased his scoring average. This season will be no different. During the preseason, Fournier displayed what he should be doing every night.

Scoring. And scoring efficiently.

Fournier has shown during the preseason he plans to be the Magic’s offensive leader.

If Fournier’s offense can help lead the Magic toward an early .500 or better record then he will be rewarded with his first trip to an All-Star Game with teammate Serge Ibaka.

He at least should receive consideration when the time comes.

Projection: Evan Fournier makes the all-star team as a reserve

Next: All Defense

Oct 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) high fives guard C.J. Watson (32) and forward Damjan Rudez (3) against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at Amway Center. San Antonio Spurs defeated the Orlando Magic 95-89. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Bismack Biyombo will make an all NBA defensive team

Biyombo will finally have the chance to play starter’s minutes, even as a reserve. As a top league shot blocker and with his switch potential on defense, Biyombo will prove he is capable of becoming great of the defensive end of the floor.

The Magic invested $72 million to prove it. They will give him every opportunity to be successful.

What Biyombo lacks on offense, he more than makes up for it on defense. Do not be surprised to hear his name in the mix for NBA defensive player of the year as well.

Prediction: Bismack Biyombo makes NBA All-Defensive team

Next: Playoff Bound?

Oct 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) and Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) talk against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Magic will make the playoffs

The goal for Orlando is the playoffs. It is no secret.

The Magic are being overlooked by just about everyone outside the organization and it may be just what they need. This will give them the opportunity to focus on playing unselfish basketball and avoid any unnecessary criticism.

The Magic know playing as a top-five defense will land them in the playoffs. That is exactly what they intend to become under head coach Frank Vogel.

The Magic are expected to model after Frank Vogel’s Indiana Pacers teams of past but may be more in line with the 2004 Detroit Pistons.

Prediction: The Magic finish 46-36, sixth in the Eastern Conference playoff race

Next: An award

May 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel is introduced as the new head coach as he talks with media during a press conference at Amway Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Frank Vogel will win coach of the year

Barring the Golden State Warriors setting another history-book win record, the Magic head coach will have every opportunity to etch his name on the award this year.

If Vogel can turn a perennial underachieving lottery team into a top-five defensive, playoff team then the award will find its home in Central Florida.

With much doubt heading into the season, analysts are giving the Magic little chance of a postseason appearance. This is what will make Vogel a leading candidate if he move this Magic team into the playoffs.

Prediction: Frank Vogel loses out to Gregg Popovich in a tight race, places second

Oct 20, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Solomon Hill (44) fights for the rebound with Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) and center Bismack Biyombo (11) during the fourth quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. The game went into overtime tied at 105. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Conclusion

The Orlando Magic are expecting a turnaround season this year. They have the right players, now all they have to do is focus.

The Magic will be focusing on changing the losing culture that has sunk in the last four seasons as the team struggled to turn the corner in their long rebuild.

If the Magic are to do so they will need veterans such as Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo to create chemistry quickly with young players Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier and Elfrid Payton.

While nothing can be guaranteed for this upcoming season, the Magic have shown they are willing to do what is necessary to attempt to make the leap to the postseason.

These predictions may be best-case scenario for the Magic. But they are more than capable of finding success in the 2017 season.