Orlando Magic News

EASTERN SOUTHEAST
Franz Wagner  • SF  •  Magic

Franz Wagner Leads Germany To Olympics Semifinals

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner scored a team-high 18 points as Germany reached the Olympics semifinals for the first time in men's basketball by beating Giannis Antetokounmpo's Greece 76-63 on Tuesday. Wagner's three-point shot was off, as he finished 1-for-6 from downtown, but the Magic star went a decent 8-for-17 overall from the field. The 22-year-old made an impact defensively as well, with three steals. His work included three rebounds and two assists. It was another good all-around performance from Wagner, who sits among the top scorers in Paris with 20.8 points per game and averages 1.8 steals with 4.5 rebounds. Wagner has looked excellent at the Olympics, which should be an encouraging sign for the Magic and fantasy managers alike ahead of the new NBA campaign.
Aug 6   
Moritz Wagner  • C  •  Magic

Moritz Wagner Settles For Eight Points Tuesday

Orlando Magic forward/center Moritz Wagner contributed eight points, six rebounds, three assists, and one block in Germany's 86-73 win against Brazil on Tuesday at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Wagner was able to use his size against Japan in Germany's opener at the tournament to finish with 15 points off the bench, but he took a backseat offensively against a tougher frontcourt on Tuesday. Still, it was an effective performance as Wagner helped his team secure a quarterfinal spot with one game left in Group B. He should have a big role to play as well in the final contest, as the Germans face Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert in a clash with France on Friday.
Jul 31   
Franz Wagner  • SF  •  Magic

Franz Wagner Does A Little Bit Of Everything In Victory Over Brazil

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner finished a horrible 0-for-6 with his triples against Brazil at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday but helped Germany to an 86-73 win with a good all-around performance. The 22-year-old had 17 points on 7-for-15 shooting with four rebounds, three assists, four steals, and one block. Wagner fully showed off his versatility, which earned him a five-year, $224 million extension this offseason. Orlando clearly sees him as one of the cornerstones of the team, and Wagner fills a hugely important role for Team Germany as well. He has posted 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals through the first couple of games at the Olympics.
Jul 31   
Franz Wagner  • SF  •  Magic

Franz Wagner Leads Germany To A Win

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner led Germany to a win over Japan in Saturday's Olympic matchup. He had issues finding the bottom of the net, going 9-for-17 from the field and 2-for-8 from deep. However, Wagner still finished with a game-high 22 points, adding six rebounds, one assist, and one block. The 22-year-old is coming off a potent 2023-24 campaign, averaging a career-high 19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals. As a result, he was rewarded with a five-year maximum contract extension in early July. With a win in the books, Germany will continue the quest for a gold medal against Brazil on Tuesday.
Jul 27   
Tristan Da Silva  • PF  •  Magic

Tristan Da Silva Stays Hot From Deep Versus Grizzlies

Orlando Magic forward Tristan Da Silva notched 17 points with 4-for-6 three-point shooting in Wednesday's 104-98 loss against Memphis in the Las Vegas Summer League. He finished 6-for-9 overall from the field, adding six rebounds, three assists, and one steal during a good all-around performance. The former Colorado Buffalo has been on fire from deep throughout the Summer League, hitting with a 58.8 percent clip on nearly six attempts per game. The Magic badly lacked outside shooting last season, so seeing da Silva's efforts must be encouraging for the team. The 18th pick of this year's draft has averaged 17.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in 26.8 minutes during Summer League action.
Jul 18   
Franz Wagner  • SF  •  Magic

Franz Wagner, Magic Agree On Contract Extension

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner agreed to a five-year contract extension with the team. The 2021 No. 8 overall pick has spent the last three seasons with the Magic since entering the league, averaging 17.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while appearing in 231 games. There aren't many players in the National Basketball Association who are more durable, so keeping him in Orlando was a no-brainer for a club that's hoping to make a deep postseason run in 2024-25. Fantasy managers could continue to see growth from the 22-year-old moving ahead, although his 33.2% shooting from behind the arc is something category participants would like to see improve. Wagner is eligible to earn up to $270 million with his new deal.
Jul 5   
Jonathan Isaac  • PF  •  Magic

Jonathan Isaac Signing $84 Million Extension With Magic

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac has renegotiated his contract with the team, agreeing to a five-year extension. Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Isaac will be paid $84 million for his services. Isaac was set to enter the final season of a four-year, $69.9 million deal. The 26-year-old has spent much of his NBA career in the treatment room but has proven himself as a fantastic defender. Despite averaging only 15.8 minutes across 58 games in 2023-24, Isaac led the Magic with 1.2 blocks. He also lowered opponents' shooting accuracy when guarding them by six percent to share a league-best mark with Defensive Player of the Year Award winner Rudy Gobert. Offensively, Isaac contributed 6.8 points off the Magic bench while grabbing 4.5 rebounds.
Jul 3   
Markelle Fultz  • PG  •  Magic

Markelle Fultz Hoping To Stay In Orlando

Impending free-agent guard Markelle Fultz hopes to remain with the Magic. "I built a lot of great relationships here," said Fultz during a recent interview. "I understand some guys are going to be gone." The 2017 No. 1 overall pick averaged a career-high 14.0 points in 60 games during the 2022-23 campaign. However, he made only 43 appearances last season due to injury while averaging 7.8 points, his fewest since his rookie year. Without question, Fultz will draw attention from a handful of teams during the offseason. But his inability to stay healthy over the years hasn't sat well with fantasy managers. Fultz's career 27.4% shooting from behind the arc is another issue, which isn't expected to improve anytime soon.
Jun 13   
Wendell Carter Jr.  • C  •  Magic

Wendell Carter Jr. Needs Surgery

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (hand) will undergo surgery. The 25-year-old fractured his left hand in November, limiting him to 55 games last season. But now he'll need another procedure on the same hand to "stabilize the third metacarpal." Carter, who will be re-evaluated in roughly four weeks following the procedure, is expected to make a full recovery. The 2018 No. 7 overall pick had one of the best seasons of his career in 2022-23, averaging 15.2 points and 8.7 assists. However, he took a step backward in both categories last season. Assuming he stays healthy, Carter has a chance to bounce back this season, although many fantasy managers will look past him due to his health and statistical regression.
May 13   
Markelle Fultz  • PG  •  Magic

Markelle Fultz Provides Efficient Scoring Off The Bench

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz had an efficient 4-for-6 shooting performance while providing eight points off the bench in Sunday's Game 7 loss to the Cavaliers. He finished with eight points across 13 minutes of action, completing his line with one rebound and one steal. Fultz started the season well, but he quickly landed on the shelf with a knee problem, which ended up ruining his campaign. The former first-overall pick was limited to only 48 appearances in the regular season, averaging 7.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. After being a regular starter throughout his career, the Magic had Fultz in the first unit only 18 times in 2023-24. Fultz had a career year just a season ago, but the 2023-24 campaign leaves quite a few question marks hanging over his head. The 25-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.
May 6   
Jonathan Isaac  • PF  •  Magic

Jonathan Isaac Ineffective In Game 7 Loss

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac couldn't provide a spark off the bench as the team's season ended with a Game 7 loss to Cleveland on Sunday. Isaac was back in the second unit following Gary Harris' return to action. He contributed only two points in 18 minutes and had two rebounds with one assist. It was an awful finish to the series from Isaac, who was held scoreless in Game 6. However, he showed his full potential through the first five games of the matchup. The 26-year-old averaged 8.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.0 steals in 21.4 minutes. Isaac is an outstanding defensive presence when he's healthy. In 2023-24, he once again had some injury problems but managed to play in 58 regular-season games, his most since 2018-19.
May 6   
Wendell Carter Jr.  • C  •  Magic

Wendell Carter Jr. Productive At Both Ends Of The Floor

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. made a mark under both baskets in Sunday's Game 7 against Cleveland. He provided 13 points with 5-for-10 shooting and snagged three steals as the Magic's season ended with a 106-94 loss. The big man from Duke, who shot 2-for-4 from outside, also recorded seven rebounds and one assist in 35 minutes. After struggling initially, Carter Jr. had a strong finish to the series. In a sense, it summed up his entire campaign, as the Magic center was fairly inconsistent in 2023-24. Carter Jr. averaged 11.0 points and 6.9 rebounds in seventh year in the NBA. He was a double-double machine only a couple of seasons ago, so the 25-year-old should have plenty of potential to do better in 2024-25.
May 6   
Jalen Suggs  • SG  •  Magic

Jalen Suggs Fizzles On Sunday

Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs struggled in Sunday's loss to the Cavaliers. The 22-year-old had one of his best offensive performances in Game 6, finishing with 22 points. However, he fizzled in Game 7, ending the afternoon with only 10 points off 2-for-14 shooting from the field. Although Suggs added nine boards, four assists, and one steal, he had five turnovers. But overall, Suggs showed signs of growth during the 2023-24 campaign and finished by averaging a career-high 12.6 points. He also shot 39.7% from deep, a significant upgrade from last season. While constructing the roster around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner is the team's priority moving ahead, Suggs should hold a stable spot in the rotation.
May 5   
Franz Wagner  • SF  •  Magic

Franz Wagner Has A Rough Game 7

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner struggled in Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 22-year-old had 26 points in the Game 6 win on Friday night. However, he fizzled on Sunday, ending the afternoon with just six points off 1-for-15 shooting from the field. He had struggled on the road during this series, but his performance in Game 7 couldn't have gone much worse. With Orlando done, the team can make moves this offseason. But the roster should continue to be built around Wagner and Paolo Banchero, with both players expected to improve even more in 2024-25.
May 5   
Paolo Banchero  • PF  •  Magic

Paolo Banchero Can't Lift Magic To A Win

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero finished with a massive double-double in Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had a team-high 38 points and 16 rebounds, adding three steals and one block. Unfortunately, his stellar performance wasn't enough to lead his team to the win. With the Magic now eliminated from the postseason after seven hard-fought contests with the Cavs, Orlando will look to improve the roster during the offseason. With that said, the club will remain constructed around Banchero, who showed signs of growth in his second season in the league by averaging 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. Although his shooting numbers could use some work, he'll likely improve in 2024-25, raising his stock in category formats.
May 5   
Gary Harris  • SG  •  Magic

Gary Harris Remains Game-Time Decision

Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris (hamstring) was officially listed as questionable when the injury report first came out, and head coach Jamahl Mosley confirmed that to still be the case. During shootaround on Friday morning, Mosley was asked if Harris was likely to play and he said, "He went through walk-through. He's going to go through his shooting slot, so he'll still be more of a game-time decision." While it's encouraging that he went through the walk-through and is still scheduled to get his shooting in, there could be some discomfort leading up to game time. DFS managers will want to monitor his situation if thinking about using him in any lineups.
May 3   
Gary Harris  • SG  •  Magic

Gary Harris A Game-Time Decision For Friday

Orlando Magic guard/forward Gary Harris (hamstring) is considered a game-time call for Friday's Game 6 against Cleveland. He suffered a right hamstring strain in Game 5, exiting the contest early. Harris has started all five games for the Magic in the playoffs, averaging 26.2 minutes. However, he hasn't been very productive, posting only 3.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony could get more playing opportunities on Friday, but the two haven't made any noise in the playoffs and would be risky choices for DFS managers.
May 2   
Paolo Banchero  • PF  •  Magic

Paolo Banchero Leads All Scorers In Game 5 Versus Cleveland

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero led the way with 39 points in Tuesday's 104-103 Game 5 loss to Cleveland. He shot 14-for-24 from the field and 4-for-7 from downtown en route to becoming the third-youngest player ever with 39-plus points in a playoff game, behind only LeBron James and Magic Johnson. Banchero's night included eight rebounds and four assists with five turnovers. The Magic star now boasts two 30-point efforts in the series and is averaging 24.8 points overall, along with 7.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Orlando will need similar numbers from him in Friday's Game 6 to survive for another day.
May 1   
Gary Harris  • SG  •  Magic

Gary Harris Injured In Game 5

Orlando Magic guard/forward Gary Harris suffered a hamstring strain in Tuesday's Game 5 against Cleveland. After averaging 28 minutes in the first four games of the series, the veteran was limited to a 19-minute outing. Harris came up with a pair of blocks in the contest but didn't contribute anything else on the box score, shooting 0-for-3. Jalen Suggs went close to 40 minutes on the night with Harris out of the lineup for the fourth quarter. Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony could be looked at for bigger contributions in Friday's Game 6 if Harris is unavailable.
May 1   
Paolo Banchero  • PF  •  Magic

Paolo Banchero Dominates In Game 3

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers en route to a blowout win in Game 3 on Thursday night. After producing two high-turnover totals in the first two playoff games of his career, Banchero settled in and didn't turn the ball over once on Thursday. The Duke product finished this contest with 31 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and one steal while shooting 13-for-26 overall and 4-for-9 from downtown. Banchero is the driving force of the Magic offense, so when he gets into a rhythm, the Magic look a lot better as a unit. He's also produced fewer turnovers and better shooting percentages when playing at home this season.
Apr 26   
LEGEND
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