That faith also comes with an ultimatum.<\/p>\n
The Magic are now among the most expensive teams in the league, with Paolo Banchero’s max contract kicking in along with Franz Wagner’s max extension and $30-plus million salaries for Jalen Suggs and Desmond Bane. Orlando is only $2.5 million beneath the second apron.<\/p>\n
Anthony Black’s extension is looming.<\/a><\/p>\n The Magic have big decisions to make regardless of how this season turns out. The team will have no choice but to be active to manage their finances and retreat a bit from the aprons.<\/p>\n People are already discussing the possibilities. And it includes an Earth-shattering trade that does not feel so far-fetched, depending on how the season turns out.<\/p>\n The storm clouds are already brewing.<\/p>\n “If you don’t believe that us playing two or three different guys who are max salaries who are 23 or 24, if you are not looking at that value and you are going to pay a tax of $30-40 million because you thought these guys might be going to the conference finals and we’re stuck in the play-in, you will be to Perk’s point, quicker to move off that,” Richard Jefferson said on the Road Trippin’ Podcast<\/a>. “That’s detrimental to development, in my opinion, that’s detrimental to the growth of a franchise. You have to make that financial decision when they are an All-Star in their third year, and you get that max deal. Now, all of a sudden, you get stuck in the play-in and approach the second apron, you have to get off salary.”<\/p>\n The league’s virtual hard cap with the second apron has forced a lot of teams to make difficult decisions. And the parity in the Eastern Conference<\/a>, especially, has created both opportunity and peril. Another year in the Play-In Tournament would force the Magic to ask themselves a lot of questions.<\/p>\n That includes questions about their star duo<\/a> and whether that is their best path to a championship and the two players they can truly build around. Suddenly, the conversation of trading Banchero or Wagner does not feel so far-fetched.<\/p>\n Most predictions — including all three of Kendrick Perkins, Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson on Road Trippin’ — have the Magic finishing in the Play-In again. There might be different degrees to it. The Magic need to see how the season plays out.<\/p>\n But even before the season begins, this pressure to perform exists. It is clear that the Magic will not be able to sustain this roster as it is for much longer. Already Magic fans are bracing for trade rumors to fly around this team — sooner or later.<\/p>\n Winning solves all problems<\/p>\n The only thing that would keep the team together is to win<\/a>.<\/p>\n The degree to which the changes the Orlando Magic will make will depend on the outcome of this season. If the Magic have a strong season, advance out of the first round and have a competitive second-round series, the Magic will have established themselves as a potential title winner.<\/p>\n Another year in the Play-In Tournament or missing the Playoffs entirely with a Play-In Tournament loss will force the Magic to ask some bigger questions about their pathway to win.<\/p>\n Adding to that is the fact that the 2027 first-round pick is the only first-round pick<\/a> the Magic own without conditions until 2031. Orlando cannot afford to bottom out. This team must find a way to remain competitive.<\/p>\n That inevitably has led to at least some preliminary discussions about the top of the roster. Orlando must deliver this season. Everyone is feeling the pressure.<\/p>\n Paolo Banchero in the spotlight<\/p>\n This offseason has featured a lot of discussions about Paolo Banchero.<\/p>\n The Orlando Magic’s former No. 1 overall pick has been the center of criticism<\/a> and doubt throughout the league as he has struggled to break through to be a perennial All-Star.<\/p>\n
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