The Orlando Magic seem to be stuck; what is their way out?

In the NBA, teams across the years have attempted to build star-studded rosters that include multiple all-star-level players. And for the most part, these teams have seen massive success with their rosters. But some stand out, not in terms of their success, but due to their failure. And this failure all boils down to one simple factor that is missing.

In the NBA, you can have all the talent in the world, but this doesn't matter as long as you don't have the right fit.

The Orlando Magic seem to be stuck. In the 2022 NBA Draft, the struggling Orlando Magic, coming off a 22-60 record, selected Paolo Banchero with the 1st overall pick.

Despite years of mediocrity, things finally started going well in Orlando. Having recently drafted Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner, alongside drafting Paolo Banchero, the Magic had talent, youth, and most of all, potential.

The chips were falling into place; the formula looked flawless.

But behind the scenes, one crucial question remained unanswered: they had the talent, but could they make the fit?

And as of now, the answer to that question remains a definite no.

There has long been discussion regarding the fit between Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, and why it doesn't work.

On paper, it seems immaculate. 2 6'10 forwards who could space the floor, create off the dribble, and score off-ball. Outside of defensive limitations, this duo seemed like it would dominate offensively.

So why hasn't it?

Well, there are plenty of reasons, starting with the floor spacing of it all.

Both Franz and Paolo have seemingly regressed as jump shooters, with Paolo being the least efficient volume jump shooter in the NBA, and Franz remaining below league-average efficiency for the past 3 seasons.

This lack of shooting has limited each player's off-ball ability, forcing them to create off the dribble. And when you have other players like Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs on the roster, the issue becomes that there are too many mouths to feed.

Jalen Suggs has also become an issue, as his lack of playmaking and shooting has contributed to the fit issues currently plaguing the Magic.

Limitations and flaws have piled up with seemingly no fix, which leaves an uncomfortable truth for the Magic to face. Paolo is better without Franz, and Franz is better without Paolo.

So who should the Magic choose?

The higher floor of Franz, or the higher ceiling of Paolo.

What they should do:

Trade 1:

Cleveland Cavaliers receive: (F) Franz Wagner, (C) Goga Bitadze, 2029 2nd-round pick (via ORL)

Orlando Magic receive: (C) Jarret Allen, (F) Max Strus

Trade 2:

Dallas Mavericks receive: (G) Jalen Suggs

Orlando Magic receive: (F) Caleb Martin, (G) Klay Thompson, top-5 protected 2032 1st-round pick (via DAL)

Free Agency:

Sign (G) Russell Westbrook to a veteran minimum.

Why this works:

This is quite the blockbuster.

The Magic completely shift their roster, going from a hypothetical dream to a realistic playoff hopeful.

In the first trade, the Magic trade Franz Wagner and Goga Bitadze for Jarrett Allen and Max Strus. This trade lets the Magic move off of Franz and, in return, get an elite starting center in Jarrett Allen and an excellent floor spacer in Max Strus.

Franz is extremely good, but Orlando cannot maximize both players simultaneously, and Paolo's ceiling makes him the player worth building around.

In the second trade, Orlando trades Jalen Suggs and receives Caleb Martin, Klay Thompson, and a 2032 1st-round pick. This move solves another issue: Jalen Suggs' limited skill set and massive contract, which limit the Magic's ceiling.

The players the Magic get back, while mostly being salary filler, do provide veteran size and shooting, which can be valuable in the playoffs. Getting a 1st-round pick for Jalen Suggs helps Orlando regain some of the draft capital they traded for Desmond Bane.

Finally, signing Russell Westbrook guarantees the Magic have a table setter, in case Anthony Black has a down year.

Orlando has finally put the necessary pieces around Paolo.

Too much of one ingredient can ruin a dish, but a wide variety of complementary ingredients can perfect one.

In the NBA, to utilize talent means having a good fit.

Orlando Magic potential 2026-27 starting lineup + bench:

PG: Anthony Black SG: Desmond Bane SF: Max Strus PF: Paolo Banchero C: Jarrett Allen

G: Russell Westbrook, Klay Thompson, Jevon Carter, Jase Richardson F: Tristen Da Silva, Noah Penda, Caleb Martin C: Wendell Carter, Nikola Vucevic