The Athletic NBA Daily – "Are the Magic Ready for a Deep Playoff Run?"

Episode Date: September 22, 2025
Host(s): Josh Robbins (The Athletic), Co-Host, NBA Analyst

Episode Overview

This episode explores whether the revamped Orlando Magic are poised for a deep playoff run in the 2025-26 NBA season. The discussion centers around the Magic’s bold offseason trade for Desmond Bane, the evolution of their young core (particularly Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs), the team's improved roster depth, and the new pressures that come with higher expectations. The hosts and guests analyze how Orlando’s ceiling has changed, the risks the team has taken, and the key factors that will determine their ultimate success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Desmond Bane Trade: Rationale and Impact

• Why Make This Move Now?
  • The Magic made a statement by trading for Desmond Bane in a move signaling to players, fans, and league rivals that the franchise is ready to level up.
  • NBA Analyst: “They felt like this was the time to really show their roster … that they are purposely setting another step forward as the goal.” (02:15)
• Message from Management
  • Magic president Jeff Weltman, usually conservative about public statements, told Josh Robbins the day after their playoff exit: “Nothing is off the table.” (03:25)
• Bane's Expected Role & Trade Value
  • Bane is expected to bring significant offensive improvement, including near 40% three-point shooting and increased ball handling. However, his defense is a concern compared to the outgoing KCP.
  • The picks traded could sting if Phoenix or Washington have bad seasons, as the swap is “incredibly convoluted … might end up being a lottery pick.” (04:56, Robbins)
  • The move also helped offload KCP’s contract, which may have necessitated attaching a first-rounder.

2. Injuries and the Need for Stars to Step Up

• Injury woes decimated the team last season—Paolo, Franz, Jalen Suggs, and others all had significant absences.
• The team is betting on Banchero and Wagner taking another leap, with the infrastructure (“shooting around them”) finally in place to maximize their talents.

3. Who Has to Step Forward Most?

• Jalen Suggs: The Critical X-Factor
  • Must stay healthy and return to the 38% 3PT shooting he showed two years prior.
  • NBA Analyst: “He plays so hard … it makes him an All-NBA caliber defender but it also makes him more susceptible to injury.” (06:13)
  • Suggs’ defense and intangibles were “undervalued by the rest of the league.” (06:59)
• Paolo Banchero & Franz Wagner: Co-Existence and Development
  • Paolo excels in playoffs, even with little support: “He did what he did against Boston with less support.” (08:32)
  • Wagner must improve his 3PT shot after a “funky” end to last season (post-oblique injury).
  • There’s a fair, unanswered question if Paolo and Franz can “coexist and have a high, upper-level offense.” (11:09)

4. Roster Depth, Shooting, and Fit Questions

• Addition of Tyus Jones and Desmond Bane gives the Magic three legitimate ball handlers, easing creative pressure from stars.
• The team “probably don’t have enough three-point shooting even with … Bain and Tyus Jones.” (11:31)
• The real upcoming test: “Can an offense with Paolo and Franz have enough talent around them, particularly shooting, to have a top-10 offense?” (12:08, NBA Analyst)

5. Cap Constraints & Future Trades

• Cap room is already tight with big salaries locked into Banchero, Wagner, Bain, and Suggs.
• “They can’t even fill that 15th roster spot … they are hard capped.” (16:53)
• “Even more artistry” is required to build around the core due to new CBA restrictions. Magic need young guys (Anthony Black, Tristan Da Silva) to contribute on rookie deals.

Roster Depth and Young Talent

• Josh Robbins: "A bit of a log jam at the center spot with three interesting players..."
• There’s high intrigue around Anthony Black (“potentially found money … if he just gets to his best self”) and Da Silva (key for floor-spacing).
• Importance of finding value with young rotation players is stressed, given fewer draft assets and ballooning cap.

Expectations & Realistic Outcomes

• Ceiling: Eastern Conference Finals is “a legitimate possibility,” but much has to go right.
• Most Realistic Outcome: Second round appearance; this would be tangible progress.
  • NBA Analyst: “Progress for this team is to get out of the first round. ... They’re not the favorite in the East … but for such a young team ... a second round appearance would be progress.” (22:08)
• Floor: First-round exit if offense stagnates or injuries repeat.

Playoff Challenge:

• Playoff success will demand versatile, half-court scoring and the ability to adapt when shots aren’t falling.
  • Josh Robbins: "At a macro level, the team has to become more versatile, more dynamic, have more options to go to." (24:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Nothing is off the table.” — Magic’s Jeff Weltman on their aggressive intent (03:25, paraphrased)
• “Desmond Bane ought to do everything and more offensively that they hoped KCP was going to do ... [but] he's not the defender KCP was and is.” – NBA Analyst (03:54)
• “The intangibles and the defense that Jalen Suggs brings were undervalued by the rest of the league.” – NBA Analyst (06:59)
• “Can an offense with Paolo and Franz ... have enough talent, particularly shooting, to have ... a top 10 offense, which they have not come anywhere close to over the last three years?” – NBA Analyst (12:08)
• “Anthony Black ... is the most fascinating player on the whole team.” – NBA Analyst (19:36)
• “The most realistic outcome for them is to get to the second round. ... Their ceiling is the Eastern Conference finals.” – NBA Analyst (22:08)
• “They have to have a path forward once they become ultra expensive with that core 4.” – Josh Robbins (21:27)
• On torn obliques: “[It] says a lot about ... the difficulty of the shots they often had to take in the half court.” – NBA Analyst (25:51)

Important Timestamps

• 02:15 – Significance and rationale behind the Desmond Bane trade
• 06:13 - 07:29 – The importance of Jalen Suggs’ health and shooting
• 08:16 – Expectations for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner
• 11:09 - 12:45 – Can Paolo and Franz truly coexist as top offensive options?
• 16:53 – Cap constraints and the challenge of filling the roster
• 19:36 – Anthony Black as a potential “found money” player
• 22:08 – Realistic playoff ceiling and floor for the Magic
• 25:51 – Torn oblique injuries as a symptom of difficult offensive environment

Tone & Language

The episode maintains a professional, analytical tone, balancing optimism about Orlando’s growth with sober realism about roster-building challenges and injury risks. There’s an undercurrent of excitement for the Magic’s ascendance, but the analysts are clear-eyed about the team’s offensive lag, cap limitations, and how much hinges on internal development.

Summary

"Are the Magic ready for a deep playoff run?" blends the buzz of Orlando’s transformative offseason with hard truths about what it takes to contend. The Magic have made their move, banking on core superstars, improved shooting, and smart roster filling. The coming season is a test of both their young stars’ growth and the front office’s ability to navigate a tighter cap landscape. At best: a dark-horse finalist. At minimum: a team that expects to go beyond round one—if they stay healthy and find offensive answers at last.