Hallelujah, the rebuild is over.
No, critically, this time, it’s actually over.
It’s lastly, formally, traditionally, euphorically, dramatically, emphatically over.
After a dozen years of painful rebuilding and an countless pursuit of buying draft capital, cap flexibility and different future belongings, Orlando Magic president Jeff Weltman lastly pushed his chips into the center of the desk and went all in on Sunday.
In what’s going to go down as one of the crucial monumental trades in franchise historical past, the Magic acquired Memphis Grizzlies star Desmond Bane in alternate for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony and, primarily, a large haul of future first-round picks.
This transfer doesn’t simply improve Orlando’s roster, it sends a transparent message to the remainder of the NBA: the rebuild is over and the Magic at the moment are within the enterprise of critically making an attempt to win a championship.
The fantastic thing about the deal is that the Magic acquired a capturing star with out having to surrender certainly one of their very own younger stars — Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner or Jalen Suggs. After the Magic have been eradicated from the primary spherical of the playoffs for the second consecutive 12 months, Weltman stated the group was getting into a “win-now” section. On Sunday, he proved it.
In a blockbuster take care of the Grizzlies, the Magic acquired Bane — one of many NBA’s premier 3-point marksmen — for a hefty worth. The Magic gave up 4 unprotected first-round picks (2025, 2026, 2028, 2030), and a evenly protected choose swap in 2029.
Make no mistake about it, that is Weltman swinging for the fences and making the kind of daring, decisive transfer many Magic followers have been hoping for. At 26 years outdated, Bane is the prototypical trendy NBA guard. He averaged 19.2 factors, 6.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 69 video games final season, and his capturing stats are jaw-dropping. Bane is certainly one of simply three NBA gamers with 800 made 3-pointers and a 40% profession capturing mark from deep since getting into the league in 2020. His catch-and-shoot share of 43.2% ranks third amongst all gamers with no less than 1,000 makes an attempt over the past 5 years.
For a Magic group determined for perimeter capturing, Bane is a godsend. He immediately boosts spacing, enhances Banchero’s inside-out sport, and provides Wagner and Suggs extra room to function. He’s additionally a tricky defender and can match with the Magic’s gritty DNA. His acquisition means the Magic’s 4 core gamers are between 22 and 26 and beneath long-term contracts.
Magic possession is actually exhibiting that it’s financially dedicated to making an attempt to win a championship. When Banchero indicators his rookie extension this offseason, the Magic shall be on the hook for about $800 million for his or her prime 4 gamers.
Did the Magic quit an excessive amount of? Hell, no. None of these first-round picks they gave up goes to make a single 3-pointer subsequent season. And if this goes as deliberate, these picks aren’t almost as helpful as a result of the Magic ought to be selecting close to the underside of the draft. The actual fact is, there’s a motive you purchase all of this draft capital — so you may construct your battle chest and prepare to go to battle when the time comes.
Effectively, the time has come.
This commerce comes at a pivotal second within the NBA panorama. The 2025 NBA Finals are showcasing two up-and-coming groups — the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and the Indiana Pacers — each of whom have climbed the standings by way of good drafting and well timed trades.
The Thunder are the NBA’s youngest group and completed with the perfect file within the league. Their Finals run proves that age and expertise aren’t the one paths to success. The outdated guard — LeBron’s Lakers, Steph’s Warriors and even Miami’s Warmth — are not the forces they as soon as have been. There’s an influence vacuum within the league, and the Magic are moving into it.
This new-look NBA isn’t about ready 5 years to contend. It’s about seizing the second when your core is prepared.
Orlando’s core is prepared.
It’s been greater than a dozen lengthy years since Dwight Howard compelled his method out of Orlando in 2012. Since then, the Magic have undergone a collection of false begins and failed rebuilds, by no means fairly capable of reclaim the relevance they as soon as loved. From the botched post-Howard period to short-lived playoff cameos led by All-Star Nikola Vucevic, Orlando usually discovered itself mired in mediocrity or spinning its wheels chasing potential.
When Weltman was introduced in as president of basketball operations in 2017, the group had no true id. It wasn’t till 2021 that Weltman pulled the set off on an entire teardown. He dealt Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier, basically burning all of it all the way down to rebuild from scratch.
Weltman’s new rebuild was rooted within the draft. Over the next few years, the Magic drafted Suggs and Wagner in 2021 and Banchero in 2022. Additionally they stockpiled draft picks, ready for the second to make a commerce for what they take into account to be the ultimate piece of the puzzle.
Will this result in a championship? Who is aware of? However for the primary time in over a decade, Magic followers have motive to imagine that the franchise isn’t just rebuilding their home, they’re on the brink of transfer in.
They’re carried out gathering belongings.
They’re carried out taking part in it secure.
They’re carried out ready for the correct second.
That is the second.
The Orlando Magic are contenders.
They’re related.
Tomorrow has come.
The longer term is now.
E mail me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on X (previously Twitter) @BianchiWrites and take heed to my Open Mike radio present each weekday from 6 to 9:30 a.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and 969TheGame.com/hear
