The Orlando Magic are looking to improve on their incredible 2023–24 campaign, which included a surprising run as the No. 5 seed in the playoffs. But Orlando is trying to bolster their team around youthful talents Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner after losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games.
Since being selected, Culver has had difficulty staying on an NBA roster due to his poor shooting, which has hindered him from the free throw line as well as outside the arc. In order to maximize Culver’s defensive potential, Jamahl Mosley and the Magic are hoping that he can be a useful floor spacer off the bench for them.
The Magic proved last season that they are capable of competing with some of the best teams in the Eastern Conference in the regular season and pushing for a postseason series victory, even though it seemed like they were a few steps ahead of schedule in their reconstruction.
In addition to meeting the team’s shooting needs, both signings complement their tough defensive style. One of the best perimeter stoppers in the NBA for a long time, Caldwell-Pope frequently faced up to the top perimeter scorer on the other team during the playoffs while he was playing for Denver. Next to Jalen Suggs, he provides them another long, rangy guard who can harass ball handlers on the perimeter.
