The Orlando Magic starter who is most vulnerable to losing his job

This is more about fit than anything.

JJun 18, 2026; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Sean Sweeney takes media questions during a press conference at AdventHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Orlando Magic are flying under the radar as most of the league’s attention is on the upgraded Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat with their new star, Giannis Antetokounmpo. It would be a good thing if this continues going into the season because outside pressure can weigh down players, and the team has known well enough since they blew a 3-1 lead to the Detroit Pistons that the stakes are as high as they’ve ever been. 

Now that Sean Sweeney is the Magic’s new coach, it’s possible there is a different starting lineup.  After all, how many coaches like doing things the way their predecessors did it? Considering how Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane are the team’s most dependable players, and Wendell Carter Jr. is the top big man, only Jalen Suggs’ starting job is vulnerable, and that doesn’t necessarily mean he should lose it. 

This might seem strange to consider because he’s a defensive powerhouse when he’s healthy enough, and Sweeney is known for being defensively oriented. The issue is that Suggs wasn’t a scoring threat and was terribly inefficient in the 2024 playoffs, too. That puts much more pressure on Banchero and Wagner if they aren’t going to guard him. Additionally, being banged up was a factor for Suggs in the playoffs, and that seems to always be the case due to him going all out in his style of play.  

Some might instantly think of Anthony Black to be the guy to move into the starting lineup, and given his offensive capabilities, might be the answer. But it’s not so simple because he, along with Tristan da Silva, folded in the playoffs and they both could be in the running for the spot. 

In Black’s case, the defensive metrics next to the other four starters weren’t good in 15 games (7-8 record), and the offense was in the mud as well. Part of this was that Bane was the only starter who shot above league average from deep last season, and Black is an inferior playmaker to Suggs. 

For da Silva, there’s not much to go on with him next to the others since that was not even in the top-20 used lineups for the Magic in 2025-26. Yet, da Silva was featured in the team’s most-used rotation, filling in for Wagner. When accounting for time used, this was their most efficient lineup. 

May 1, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) pumps the crowd up against the Detroit Pistons in the second quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Putting da Silva in for Suggs has its appeals because he can guard well, plus he’s bigger with a decent 6’ 10 wingspan yet it could be risky — or maybe not. A possible way to get around the loss in playmaking is to put more trust in Banchero and Wagner to initiate offense. Banchero has logged two seasons with over five assists per game and Wagner’s career high was 4.7 in 2024-25.

Not the easiest call

Organizing the starting lineup will be Sweeney’s first tough decision. Of course, defense and rebounding are the two most important ingredients for winning championships, but what does a coach do if the fit doesn’t maximize the best players?

At points for the Magic, having a sub-optimal attack bled into poor transition defense because they couldn’t set up their coverages. Then it also led to a tougher time trying to score when the opponent set up their schmes.

When comparing talent, Suggs is more special than Black and da Silva, yet for now, all options that will get the most out of Banchero, Wagner and Bane should be on the table.