NBA Expert's Bold Eastern Conference Prediction Catches Attention on Friday

The Orlando Magic have made surgical moves to bolster their ranks ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. Five days into free agency, they signed Tyus Jones to a one-year deal and re-signed Moe Wagner for another one-year contract. 

The biggest move of their offseason came via trade. They shipped Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Desmond Bane, one of the best shooting guards in the league. 

In Friday's episode of ESPN's "First Take," Clark picked the Magic as the favorites to win the East next season. 

"This Desmond Bane trade not only makes the Magic Eastern Conference contenders, in my mind, it makes them the favorites," Clark said. "They're going to win the Eastern Conference."

Such a bold take drew a lot of attention on social media. Many fans reacted to it, debating why this is and is not likely to happen. 

"They will try to silence you for this Kevin," one fan said. 

"Banchero and franz not ready yet It’ll be Knicks then Cavs then third is up for grabs," a second fan wrote. 

"Where do they find these guys lol," a third fan questioned. 

"This guy knows ball," a fourth fan added. 

"Said long time Magic fan Kevin Clark. Way to offer a dispassionate evaluation. Zero chance they are better than the Knicks and Cavs. Although they should be proud that they now have one good three point shooter," a fifth fan wrote. 

"Only casuals don’t see this is all factual," a sixth fan said. 

The Magic have advanced to the playoffs in the last two seasons, but the 2024-25 season was a regression. They took the Cleveland Cavaliers to distance in 2024, but could only win one game against the Boston Celtics this year. 

Orlando has a solid young core, and Bane's addition should elevate their game, but they need to start delivering in the postseason. 

Other young teams like the Detroit Pistons could take advantage of the current state of the conference. The Atlanta Hawks added intriguing pieces, and the Cleveland Cavaliers landed Lonzo Ball for their backcourt, which means the Magic won't be the only ones with a chance to win the conference.