The Revolution Awaits the Orlando Magic After Being Eliminated from the Playoffs

The Orlando Magic had a regular season with a 50% victory rate that allowed them to reach the Play-In. They defeated the Atlanta Hawks and qualified for the playoffs, where they faced the Boston Celtics who were considered heavy favorites. Although Orlando managed to win a game, they were swept in five games in the first round. Now it's time to focus on the offseason.

Gary Harris (Team Option)

A club option valued at $7.5 million seems too expensive for the Magic to keep Gary Harris. At 31 years old as of September 14, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard has played the last four full seasons for Orlando. While he still holds some defensive value, his playing time and production have decreased each year.

A seldom-used player at this stage of his career, Harris averaged a career-low of three points per game in his 2024-25 48 outings. Although he was part of Orlando's playoff rotation, he only scored a total of seven points in the five games. While Harris will likely continue his career, he will probably be closer to a minimum salary for 2025-26.

Caleb Houstan (Team Option)

For the 2025-26 season, Caleb Houstan has a club option worth $2,187,699. That deal becomes fully guaranteed on June 30, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Magic hang on to him. Drafted 32nd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Houstan has spent each of his three seasons in Orlando.

At just 22 years old, Houstan achieved his career-best three-point shooting percentage at 40% in the 2024-25 season. He has often been a fringe rotation player for the team, but he sees more playing time than not due to injuries. Like Harris, he didn't have much impact in the playoffs, but his option is much more reasonable.

Cory Joseph (Team Option)

With 14 years of NBA experience, Cory Joseph has a club option for 2025-26 worth just under $3.5 million. Turning 34 on August 20, the Magic utilized the 6-foot-2 guard in the starting lineup towards the end of the season (and in their five postseason games).

While Orlando probably wouldn't want Joseph as their full-time starting point guard next year, he remains a veteran and stable presence off the bench. In 2024-25, he shot 36.4% from beyond the arc and had a four assist-to-turnover ratio.

Moritz Wagner (Team Option)

Moritz Wagner was having an excellent season for Orlando before getting injured. The 28-year-old center tore his anterior cruciate ligament on December 21, prematurely ending his season. Last season marked Wagner's fourth full season with the Magic.

The seven-year veteran posted career-best averages in 2024-25, with 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds. Additionally, he shot a solid 56.2% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range. Given how much his presence was missed, it should be a no-brainer for the Magic to bring him back at the very reasonable price of $11 million in 2025-26.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La revolución que espera a los Orlando Magic tras caer eliminados de Playoffs