Orlando Magic season preview: Opening schedule, win projection and everything to know for 2026-27

The 2026-27 NBA season is upon us and the Orlando Magic have a number of intriguing elements to watch for in the upcoming year. The team finished the previous season with a 45-37 record, good enough for 8th in the Eastern Conference, but ultimately fell to the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs. This season, the Magic made some key roster moves including drafting Izaiyah Nelson, re-signing Jonathan Isaac and Nikola Vučević, and retaining Jevon Carter.

However, they still need to improve their shooting and a new coaching staff will play a crucial role in unlocking the potential of the roster.

Potential coaching changes could help the Magic maximize the talent they have on the roster. Assistant coach Sean Sweeney has proven his value with high-profile players, and his arrival suggests the team is looking to experiment with new systems and strategies. The young talent on the roster, including Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane, have the size and skill to create scoring opportunities for themselves and their teammates.

However, the Magic still face some challenges. They struggled with 3-point shooting last season, ranking 27th in 3-point percentage and 22nd in attempts. Additionally, the two best players on the team, Banchero and Wagner, have struggled with shooting accuracy. It will be important for the team to find reliable shooters to complement their star players, or else they may continue to struggle on the perimeter.

The preseason power rankings have put the Magic at No. 19, suggesting they still have some room for improvement. Fantasy analysts are cautiously optimistic, with a low win total of 43.5 and a slim chance at winning the division or the NBA Finals. However, if the Magic can improve their shooting and find a strong coaching fit, they could be a dark horse to make a deep playoff run.