Magic may be spinning wheels with firing of Jamahl Mosley

Orlando may think its next coach can take the team to the next level, but that may not make it a bona fide championship contender. The Magic have been spinning their wheels for some time now. 

Why things may not change for Magic after firing of Jamahl Mosley 

The Magic sent four unprotected first-round picks (and more) to the Memphis Grizzlies for guard Desmond Bane in June 2025. That was a lot to give up for a player who's never been selected to an All-Star Game. 

Bane proved to be a solid addition for Orlando, but not the transformative player they were seeking. In 82 regular-season games, the guard averaged 20.1 points per game on 48.4 percent shooting from the field but posted a career-worst 117 defensive rating (which measures points allowed per 100 possessions), via Basketball Reference. A defensive rating above 110 is considered below-average.

The trade for Bane has left the Magic without valuable draft capital, which could be used to upgrade the roster. Star forward Paolo Banchero, a one-time All-Star, believes that's needed.

"I can't really answer that. I want to say yes, but we haven't been out of the first round, so if you're going off the last three years, the answer is no," he said Sunday when asked if the Magic are constructed to win a championship.

The roster looks even more shaky when considering the injury issues of forward Franz Wagner, who has battled ankle issues throughout his career. He missed the final three games of the series against Detroit after injuring his right calf in Game 4 on April 27. He averaged 16.8 PPG in the series. 

Was Mosley elite? No. Few coaches, however, could do a better job in Orlando, which has unrealistic expectations. The franchise thinks it's on the verge of becoming a championship contender, but it's stuck in a cycle of mediocrity like many NBA teams.