East Notes: Magic, Paolo Banchero, Knicks, Hawks, Trae Young

Magic

The Magic may have made some of the biggest splashes of the summer — trading for Desmond Bane and handing Paolo Banchero a five-year extension — but they aren’t moving up in ESPN’s latest long-term power rankings.

ESPN writes that Orlando is holding steady because of money already committed and limited draft flexibility.

Per the outlet, the Magic rank just 27th in money and 24th in draft capital. Over the next three years, they have committed roughly $450 million in guaranteed salary to Bane, Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs.

On top of that, Orlando has just one future first-round pick (2032) available to trade in the next seven years.

Knicks

The Knicks also hold steady in ESPN’s projections, despite last year’s run to the Eastern Conference finals — their first in 25 years.

Per ESPN, New York continues to benefit from strong marks across the board, with top-10 rankings in players (fifth), market (second) and management (ninth).

ESPN points out that the front office’s decision to move on from longtime coach Tom Thibodeau in favor of Mike Brown is viewed as a positive.

The Knicks’ steady place in the rankings reflects both their recent success and the foundation they’ve built.

Hawks

Atlanta, meanwhile, is trending upward. ESPN opines that the Hawks have jumped 11 spots, even though they haven’t won more than 48 games since 2015-16 and haven’t advanced past the first round in four straight seasons.

The move comes despite San Antonio owning Atlanta’s first-round picks in the next two years and with All-Star guard Trae Young holding the ability to test free agency next summer.

Still, ESPN notes that the Hawks now rank in the top 15 in every category thanks to a busy offseason.

Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard were added to a roster already featuring Young, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher.

Perhaps most importantly, per ESPN, Atlanta controls the more favorable 2026 first-rounder of either Milwaukee or New Orleans, giving the Hawks a valuable chip in future roster construction.