The Orlando Magic ended the 2025-26 NBA season with a thud.<\/p>\n
Their 4-3 first-round playoff defeat<\/a> at the hands of the Detroit Pistons marked the Magic\u2019s third straight first-round playoff exit.<\/p>\n The season\u2019s end ultimately cost the former head coach, Jamahl Mosley<\/a>, his job the next day, on May 4.<\/p>\n Such stagnation has been disappointing for a team with a young core trying to take the next steps toward becoming true contenders.\u00a0<\/p>\n So, What\u2019s Next for the Magic?<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t take long for the Magic to decide on their new head coach. Orlando snagged Spurs assistant head coach Sean Sweeney on Jun. 1, which, on its face, reinforces the team\u2019s defensive-minded approach. The question remains whether Sweeney can fix Orlando\u2019s offensive woes.<\/a><\/p>\n Orlando did not have a first-round draft pick this season, as a result of the Desmond Bane<\/a> trade<\/a> last offseason. That pick became the 16th pick, with which the Memphis Grizzlies used to draft Bennett Stirtz<\/a>, who was then traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder on draft night.<\/p>\n Subtle Moves in Orlando<\/p>\n Currently, Orlando has very little financial flexibility and draft capital. This is largely due to Paolo Banchero<\/a>\u2018s looming extension<\/a> that kicks in next season and the Desmond Bane trade, which sent away four unprotected first-round picks.<\/p>\n Their strategy seems to be to build from within and trust a new system under coach Sean Sweeney.<\/p>\n Orlando has re-signed the majority of their defensive depth, however. Jamal Cain<\/a>, Jevon Carter<\/a>, and Jonathan Isaac<\/a> are all returning<\/a> on one-year deals. Isaac\u2019s case is unique. Orlando waived the nine-year veteran before re-signing him to a deal that saved Orlando $11 million in cap space<\/a>. The waiver was to avoid the $14 million guarantee for Isaac next season.<\/p>\n BREAKING: Jonathan Isaac is returning to Orlando.<\/p>\n After recently being waived by the Magic in a cap-saving move, Isaac is now re-signing with Orlando on a one-year deal, per the Orlando Sentinel.<\/p>\n The Magic moved off Isaac\u2019s previous contract before his $14.5M salary became\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/AhF4cjZje8<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Orlando Magic HQ (@OMagicHQ) July 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Colin Castleton<\/a> was also re-signed on a two-way contract. He will play primarily for the Osceola Magic of the NBA G League, while being called up to Orlando on an as-needed basis.<\/p>\n A Few Losses<\/p>\n So far, there have only been two key departures. Former Magic first-round pick Jett Howard<\/a> had his team option for next season declined at the start of the 2025 season, making him an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Veteran backup center Moritz Wagner<\/a> inked a two-year, $19 million deal<\/a> with the Brooklyn Nets.<\/p>\n A Very Warm Re-Welcoming<\/p>\n Orlando also saw the return of a very familiar face in free agency. Nikola Vu\u010devi\u0107<\/a> signed<\/a> a one-year, $3.9 million deal on Jul. 1. The former face of the franchise spent 8.5 years with the Magic before being traded to the Chicago Bulls in 2021.<\/p>\n The trade ironically netted Orlando Wendell Carter Jr.<\/a> and Franz Wagner<\/a>, two of Vu\u010devi\u0107\u2019s new teammates. Vu\u010devi\u0107 was a two-time All-Star in his first stint in Orlando and led the Magic to their first playoff appearances since the Dwight Howard<\/a> era.<\/p>\n Nikola Vucevic all-time rankings with the Magic:<\/p>\n 3rd in points (10,423) The man has done a lot with this franchise and I would love to see him go out a winner. pic.twitter.com\/d1PXglwtBR<\/a><\/p>\n
4th in minutes (18,791)
2nd in rebounds (6,381)
8th in assists (1,668)
6th in steals (537)
3rd in blocks (550)<\/p>\n