In the eight seasons since Jeff Weltman arrived in Orlando as president of basketball operations, the Magic have made the playoffs four times.
None of those postseason trips, however, have included advancing beyond the first round.
In fact, the Magic haven’t won a playoff series in 15 years, well before Weltman joined the franchise.
But after acquiring guard Desmond Bane, drafting guard Jase Richardson and forward Noah Penda, signing veteran guard Tyus Jones and re-signing backup center Moe Wagner — moves all done to parlay with the core trio of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs — Weltman believes he’s pieced together perhaps the strongest team in his tenure.
“For me personally since I’ve been here, I think this roster has a chance to do some special things, more so than any other that we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Weltman said Monday. “It looks good on paper. It’s the job of our players, our coaches and all of our staff to bring everything we have to bear to get this team as far along as we can.
“The nice thing about the team that I get excited about is it’s still very young and there’s still a lot of growth baked in,” he added. “I look forward to the next few years unfolding, but obviously starting right now.”
To Weltman’s point, the Magic no longer have any players on their roster age 30 or older. Jones is the oldest at 29 and the lone member with at least 10 years of NBA experience.
Welcome back Wagner
About an hour before Weltman met with local media to introduce Jones, the Magic announced they also officially re-signed Moe Wagner.
The backup center who is recovering from a torn left ACL agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract on Friday.
Weltman expressed his gratitude and excitement about Wagner returning.
“I’m just thankful that Moe chose us,” Weltman said. “Moe has a lot of options. He’s an important part of our team and the fact that he reinvested in us is really gratifying to us. We can’t wait to continue Moe’s journey in a Magic uniform and we’re excited to have him back.”
Wagner’s younger brother, Franz, was spotted Monday in the AdventHealth Training Center as well.
Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel
Magic forward Franz Wagner tosses the ball in front of coach Jamahl Mosley at the AdventHealth Training Center on Monday. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Injury update
Magic rookie Jase Richardson is dealing with a sore right ankle injury, but it’s not expected to impede on his participation at Las Vegas Summer League.
The No. 25 pick in last month’s draft is considered day-to-day, but he believes he’ll be able to go 100% physically when the team tips off later this week.
“Just working on my body with the recovery team has been really good, so definitely,” Richardson said.
Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel
Magic rookie Jase Richardson shoots from distance during summer league practice at the AdventHealth Training Center on Monday. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Added Magic summer league coach Ameer Bahhur: “He’s progressing well from what we’ve seen. He was able to do more stuff [Monday] so we’re not too worried about it.”
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
