Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic entered the league in 1989 as an expansion franchise and quickly became a focal point for basketball fans in Central Florida. They secured Shaquille O'Neal with the first overall pick in 1992, setting the stage for one of the most exciting duos in history when they acquired Anfernee Hardaway shortly after. That pairing propelled the team to their first NBA Finals appearance in 1995, where they faced the Houston Rockets.

Over the decades, the franchise has navigated multiple eras, from the scoring prowess of Tracy McGrady to the defensive dominance of Dwight Howard. The team reached the Finals again in 2009 before entering a rebuild that eventually culminated in the rise of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. While they have yet to win a championship, their ability to develop talent and reach the postseason consistently keeps them relevant in the Eastern Conference. [edit]

The franchise launched in 1989 and made an immediate impact by drafting Shaquille O'Neal first overall in 1992. A year later, a trade brought Anfernee Hardaway to Orlando, creating a dynamic duo that led the team to the 1995 NBA Finals. Although they lost that series to the Houston Rockets, the run established the Magic as a serious contender. The organization later built around Tracy McGrady, who won two scoring titles between 2002 and 2003.

Dwight Howard arrived via the 2004 draft and anchored a defense that returned the Magic to the Finals in 2009. They fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games despite Howard's three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards. Following his departure in 2012, the team underwent a long rebuild before emerging with a young core led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. David Steele served as the team's voice for 37 seasons until his recent retirement.

After a first-round exit against the Detroit Pistons in 2026, head coach Jamahl Mosley departed. Sean Sweeney took over for the 2026-27 season, implementing a new system that players embraced during training camp. The team opened their preseason on October 7, 2026, with a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. [edit]