Cavs: 3 teams they will definitely be better than in 2021-22 NBA season

Cavs: 3 teams they will definitely be better than – Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic resisted the pull of an all-out rebuild for years, instead re-signing players and attempting to remain relevant in the playoff chase. Players such as Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier propped up this team’s floor, and combined with former head coach Steve Clifford even managed to get the Magic into the playoffs twice, losing in five games in both 2019 and 2020.

Last year they finally committed to “the tank” and traded away Vucevic, Fournier and Aaron Gordon for young players and draft capital. With two members of their young core out with season-ending injuries in Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz it seemed the perfect time to kick off a rebuild.

Their fall to the bottom got them to the fifth pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, where they took Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs. He looked awesome in NBA Summer League, and will likely earn significant minutes as a rookie. That will be good for his long-term development, but likely not good for the Magic’s 2021-22 win total; when a rookie is your leading scorer and ball-handler it leads to a lot of growing pains.

Isaac and Fultz will be back at unknown times of the season and will need to work themselves back into peak playing condition. Players such as Mo Bamba, Wendell Carter Jr. and Chuma Okeke will all be trying to prove themselves more than bench players. The combination of organizational goals (add another prime talent in the draft), player health and the extreme youth of their rotation all suggest the Magic will be one of, if not the absolute worst, team in the league. The Cavs should easily surpass them in wins.