Orlando Magic Set Expectations for Rookies Anthony Black, Jett Howard

The Orlando Magic have one of the brighter young cores in the NBA.

Franz Wagner is freshly 22-years-old. And 2022-23 Rookie of the Year Award winner and former No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero is still just 20.

Despite their recent youth movement, the team’s newest rookies — Anthony Black and Jett Howard — are still going to have to earn their minutes in their debut seasons. That much and more was apparent at the team’s 2023 Media Day on Monday.

“They’ve done a great job of working over the summer and understanding what we’re asking.” said head coach Jamahl Mosely. “But, defensively, that is going to be the first thing. How do you sit down and guard? Can you come in and compete against these guys every single day? I think they’ve taken that challenge on, which I really admire.”

And it’s not just a tough head coach thing. Everybody in the building, including current president Jeff Weltman, seems to be under the impression that minutes are going to be harder and harder to come by as the team improves, which it has in each of the last three seasons.

“I think it is going to be harder for these guys to get on the floor, quite honestly,” Weltman said. “We’re not gifting anybody minutes and that is a good thing. That means that we’re getting better. I don’t know how great we are, but I think we have good depth. We have talent spread out positionally. I know they’re both going to work. I know they’re both going to be great teammates.”

There’s no question the duo is talented. Black, selected sixth overall, is a jumbo point guard who should have no problem fitting in with his innate passing chops, high basketball IQ and stingy on-ball defense. Howard, taken No. 11 overall, might have a tougher time from a defensive perspective. But undoubtedly will have no issue in showcasing his scoring strengths early.

Luckily, it seems the team made the right decision in selecting Black and Howard, as both are prepared to enter the season with that very same mindset.

“I think that’s how it should be for anybody no matter where you’re picked or anything like,” Black said. “You still gotta come in and prove yourself to your teammates and coaches and everybody in the organization. I’m definitely excited to do that.”