The Orlando Magic thought they were ready to make a return to the playoffs this year after a steady progression in the standings during their first four years under GM Rob Hennigan. Those seasons saw the Magic, after trading All-Star Dwight Howard, advance from 20 wins in Hennigan's first year to 35 in his fourth season.
Last summer, the Magic dealt young shooting guard Victor Oladipo to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of a package for veteran power forward Serge Ibaka. They also spent heavily in free agency, filling out their bench with D.