Fantasy Basketball Exit Interview: Magic face roster and coaching questions after playoff disappointment

The Magic’s season was a rollercoaster. Written off before the Play-In, they took out a red-hot Hornets squad. Then, Orlando pushed the top-seeded Pistons to seven games, suddenly looking like a legitimate threat instead of the inconsistent group we saw all season. The talent is there, but another first-round exit means the front office can’t afford to stand pat — change is coming in Orlando, starting with firing coach Jamahl Mosley on Monday. Let’s look back on the Magic’s season and what it meant for fantasy.

Will Paolo and Franz ever work?

It’s the biggest question in Orlando. Franz Wagner logged just 34 games, so we’re still left guessing what the pairing really looks like. Paolo Banchero did all the heavy liftin g— 72 games, 22-8-5 with 1.3 stocks with better efficiency and more fantasy value than he gets credit for (27th in High Score, 134th in nine-cat). Not elite in nine-cat, but valuable core counting stats. Where Banchero goes in drafts depends on the league type.

Wagner, when actually on the floor, was solid: 21-5-3 with decent efficiency. But the 3-ball is still broken and the defensive stats dipped. I’m chalking this one up to bad luck, and with an offseason to rehab, there’s no reason to think he won’t return to a fourth- or fifth-rounder by the preseason.

Both have one distinct flaw, though — neither can consistently hit 3s. Orlando’s offense looked ugly because the spacing and flow were ragged, with either guy unable to be a threat on the perimeter. A change in the offensive scheme will maximize the value of these two $40M cornerstones of the franchise.

Other key fantasy assets

Desmond Bane just did what he does: showed up, clocked in, and delivered. He averaged 37 fantasy points per game — good for top 65 in High Score and 41st in 9-cat, making him Orlando’s top fantasy asset. Bane poured in 24 points, 4 boards and 4 assists, averaging 1.5 stocks per game, shooting well from everywhere. The best part, though? He played all 82 games. If you want an efficient high-floor guard-forward, Bane is generally a good pick in the fourth round.

Jalen Suggs was the culture-setter on defense — averaging 2.5 stocks, flying around and stuffing the stat sheet across the board. After being drafted 101st overall, he finished 71st in High Score and 54th in 9-cat, providing real value in both formats. If only he could stay healthy. Suggs’ high-motor style is a double-edged sword. He’s always in the mix, but it leads to too much wear and tear. Still, at the right draft price, he’s worth the risk, projecting as a top-75 player heading into next season.