“How does Orlando get a good take a look at continuity all through the season when 50 % of your whole cap cannot keep on the courtroom,” Marks pretty requested, and it is a query the Magic shall be compelled to grapple with over the following month, probably even into December.
After parting methods with four future first-round picks in a 2025 offseason commerce for former Memphis Grizzles guard Desmond Bane, the Magic are all-in on contending for a title, but it surely’s unattainable to gauge how critically they need to be taken within the East (not to mention the NBA at massive) with out their two highest-paid gamers capable of constantly play on the similar time.
When the duo was on the courtroom collectively a season in the past, the Magic solely outscored opponents by 3.5 factors per 100 possessions, per NBA.com data.
Final December, Banchero, chosen No. 1 total within the 2022 NBA Draft, scoffed at worries over his and Wagner’s capability to coexist on the courtroom, describing these considerations to the Athletic as “bull—-.”
“We all know that we’re at our strongest when each of us are on the market on the ground,” Banchero added.
However in current seasons, the pair have been separated far more typically than they have been united. Last December, Wagner suffered a left high-ankle sprain and did not return till mid-January. He lasted two video games earlier than re-aggravating the ankle and lacking one other 22 video games.
In late October 2024, Banchero tore his proper indirect and missed the following two full months earlier than returning on Jan. 10, 2025.
Somewhat than lastly getting a full yr with Banchero and Wagner collectively, the Magic are already in well-known territory, navigating the early a part of the season with out one among its two greatest gamers.
Whereas the pair may very well be the spark wanted for a deep postseason run, Orlando cannot keep affected person ceaselessly. At a sure level, Banchero and Wagner want to have the ability to constantly share the courtroom. If not, the Magic might want to discover stars who can.
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