Magic's Young Players Face Uphill Climb Toward Playing Time

The path toward a consistent role didn't get any easier for the Orlando Magic's 2023 first-round picks Anthony Black and Jett Howard.

Orlando Magic guard Jett Howard (13) dribbles the ball against Philadelphia 76ers guard Furkan Korkmaz (30) in the fourth quarter at the KIA Center. | Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

ORLANDO — The Orlando Magic's ability to draft and develop young talent has positioned them as an Eastern Conference contender

Taking Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner in the 2021 draft and then Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 overall pick in 2022 laid the foundation for Orlando to make one of the biggest improvements in the league last season, going from 34 wins in 2022-23 to 47 wins and earning the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

The expectations are greater now and the Magic's least experienced players could find playing time scarce. President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman said as much right after Orlando took Tristan da Silva with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

"He's going to have to earn what he eats," Weltman said. "He's going to have to be a rookie and go through that."

The addition of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on a three-year, $66-million deal addresses Orlando's need to add more reliable outside shooting. The 31-year-old guard, who has made better than 40 percent of his 3-pointers in three of his last four seasons, is expected to join Suggs in the starting backcourt.

The re-signing of veteran guard Gary Harris to a two-year deal put up another obstacle for Anthony Black, Jett Howard and da Silva. In 2023-24, Harris appeared in 54 games, including 27 starts. He also started six of Orlando's seven playoff games. Usurping a player who has consistently played when healthy won't prove easy.

Black showed flashes on both sides of the floor in his rookie season, while it's hoped that Howard and da Silva's ability to shoot could add juice to a Magic offense that ranked in the NBA's bottom 10 in many major stats last season.

Related stories on the Orlando Magic

• WHY SIGNING KCP WAS THE RIGHT MOVE FOR ORLANDO: While the Orlando Magic were in the sweepstakes for Paul George before he agreed to a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and having the cap space to add other pieces was the right move. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC RE-SIGN MOE WAGNER: The Orlando Magic continued to keep their playoff team intact by re-signing center Moe Wagner to a new two-year contract. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC RE-SIGN GARY HARRIS: The Orlando Magic on Monday made 10-year veteran Gary Harris the second free agent to be re-signed. CLICK HERE
• JOE INGLES GOES TO TIMBERWOLVES: Joe Ingles is the first Orlando Magic player to depart after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. CLICK HERE