In a 30-part series leading up to the start of the 2021-22 National Basketball Association season, we will take a look at each NBA franchise from a fantasy perspective. The 22nd team we will review is the Orlando Magic.
There were some definite positive signs for the Orlando Magic during the 2020 NBA season. They reached the postseason in the Orlando bubble, and even won game one of the Eastern Conference first round playoff series as they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 122-110.
However, the 2021 NBA regular season was a definite struggle. The Magic had the third worst record in the NBA. At 21 wins and 51 losses, only the Detroit Pistons (20 wins and 52 losses), and Houston Rockets (17 wins and 55 losses) were worse.
At the NBA trade deadline, the Magic started their rebuilding process. They traded Nikola Vucevic to Chicago, Evan Fournier to Boston, and Aaron Gordon to Denver.
At the 2021 NBA Draft, the Magic had the fifth overall pick, where they selected guard Jalen Suggs from the University of Gonzaga. Suggs made headlines in college basketball last season when he made a game-winning 30-foot three-point buzzer beater in the semifinals of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The Gonzaga Bulldogs beat the UCLA Bruins 93-90 in overtime.
Now Suggs will be traveling from one corner of the United States to the other. The Minnesota native is traveling from the Pacific Northwest, to the most southeastern American state. From a fantasy perspective be cautious in taking Suggs. It will take him some time before he becomes NBA ready.
Two Magic players are worth considering in the later rounds. They are small forward Terrence Ross and center Wendell Carter Jr. Both Ross and Carter Jr. reached the century mark when it came to fantasy points last year. Ross had 1045 fantasy points* in 2021-22, while Carter Jr. had 1152.
Carter Jr. had a field goal percentage of .503, free throw percentage of .732, 606 points, 443 rebounds, 104 assists, 35 steals, 42 blocks and 78 turnovers. Ross had a field goal percentage of .412, free throw percentage of .870, made 89 three-pointers and had 717 points, 158 rebounds, 108 assists, 47 steals and 74 turnovers.
*Please note: To calculate NBA fantasy points for point guards, shooting guards and small forwards, I use the formula (3PTM+Points+Rebounds+Assists+Steals-Turnovers). For power forwards and centers, I use the formula (Points+Rebounds+Assists+Steals+Blocks-Turnovers).
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