The Magic Insider

Will Magic Change Starting Lineup Next Season?

The Orlando Magic ran a consistent starting five with Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

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ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic struggled at the beginning of the season to find consistency in its rotation. However, once the injuries slowed down, the Magic found a solid five to turn to every game.

Bleacher Report believes that group should stay the same unless a top pick makes its way to Orlando.

"They will most likely be content rolling along with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Wendell Carter Jr. and this year's two projected lotto picks. If there's even a singular change to their preferred starting group, it's probably because they won the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes," Bleacher Report writes.

The starting five grew comfortable together, playing nearly 400 minutes more than any other combination of players. The offensive rating among the group posted at 113, while the defensive rating clocked in at 111.6, resulting in a positive net rating of 1.4.

It's hard to see head coach Jamahl Mosley break that core up unless a player like Victor Wembanyama came in. There is a slight chance that someone like Jalen Suggs could come in and replace Harris if he makes a huge leap this offseason, but the former Gonzaga hero grew into his own as a guard coming off the bench.

Whether this quintet sees the floor a lot together next season or not, it should be a key group to help the Magic win basketball games.


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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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