Since trading their franchise centre piece, the Magic have finished no higher than 11th in the traditionally weaker Eastern Conference before finally breaking through to finish seventh and return to the playoffs last season.

Despite the quick exit at the hands of eventual champs the Toronto Raptors, the sense of eternal doom that hung over the franchise since the last days of Dwight has finally been lifted.

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Behind the strong play of newly minted (to the tune of a four year $100 million contract) all-star centre Nikola Vucevic, the Magic exceeded expectations finishing with a 42-40 record.

The Magic have maintained a patient, draft-based approach in the past few years, snaring high upside prospects such as Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba to go with the veterans in sharp shooting wing Evan Fournier and Vucevic.

However they remain a team that is put together... weirdly!

Vucevic is a star and they have a foundational piece in Aaron Godron manning the power forward position. Yet they've drafted big in Isaac, Bamba and Chuma Okeke in the last three drafts.

The Magic have a a couple of solid wings in Fourner and spark plug Terrance Ross, but they're not considered top line options for a team that wants to sit at the top table.

Jouneyman lead guard DJ Augustin offered up a career year last season, but he's a backup by practically any standard and at 31, doesn't project to get any better.

In a sliding doors scenario, the Magic could be starting draft picks Donovan Mitchell and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander alongside Fournier, Gordon and Big Vooch.

Instead they have seven (including underrated back up Khem Birch and free agent acquisition Al-Farouq Aminu) Very Tall People to man but two Very Tall People positions.

They have only two proven commodities on the wing and no recognised starting level point guard.

That being said, the Magic are a team that could surprise many this season.