Magic have high expectations after upgrading strong roster with addition of Desmond Bane

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — There’s a new vibe and plenty of buzz surrounding the Orlando Magic after a splashy offseason.

It’s been a while since they were considered championship contenders.

The Magic are favorites to repeat as Southeast division champions, have the third-best odds to win the Eastern Conference and are eighth-best to capture an NBA title, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

“There’s nobody outside of that locker room that should have higher expectations for ourselves than us,” fifth-year coach Jamahl Mosley said Monday. “There’s going to be a lot of people saying what we should or could do but our standard is high and what we know we’re capable of doing. It starts with our everyday work, getting better every single day. It’s the daily habits that we have to approach as a group and it’s the standard and accountability we have to hold each other to.”

After going 41-41 last season and getting eliminated by Boston in five games in the first round of the playoffs, the Magic made a major move to address scoring.

The team paid a hefty price to acquire Desmond Bane from Memphis, sending four first-round picks, a pick swap plus Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony to the Grizzlies.

Bane averaged 19.2 points last season and made 39% of his shots from 3-point range. He joins star forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner to boost the offense.

The Magic also signed guard Tyus Jones in free agency. He averaged 10.2 points and shot 41.4% from 3-point range last season for Phoenix.

“The space they provide on the floor is tremendous but also their leadership, their experience, who they’ve been for each team they’ve been on provides mentorship for our young guys,” Mosley said.

The Magic were plagued by injuries last season, going without Banchero, Wagner and Jalen Suggs for long stretches. Suggs averaged 16.2 points, four rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals before he suffered a cartilage injury to his left knee in late January that required arthroscopic surgery. His goal is to return for opening night and he’s excited about teaming with Bane in the backcourt.

“I think when we get to mesh as time passes, as we continue to play, as the season evolves and goes on — I think the league, everyone that follows basketball will continue to see not only why that was one of the best acquisitions of the summer, but why me and Bane could be one of the best backcourts in the NBA because of how well versed we are,” Suggs said. “In every aspect, we either are elite or we cover for each other ... and so I’m very excited to get to hooping with him alongside everybody else.”

While offense was an issue last season, the Magic had the league’s No. 2 defensive ranking behind the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The goal is to turn those opportunities the defense creates into points.

“It’s about converting in transition when you’ve gotten the steal, when you’ve gotten the stop, and our ability to finish possessions off the right way, putting pressure on their defense by attacking early in transition and finishing,” Mosley said.

With the defending Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers facing a season without star Tyrese Haliburton and the Boston Celtics expected to be without Jayson Tatum for a significant period, the door is open for the improved Magic to make a deep run. Only the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks have better odds to win the conference.

The Magic haven’t won a playoff series since 2009-10 when they advanced to the East finals. They are 0-2 in NBA Finals in their 36-year history.

“I’ve never been more excited since I’ve been here,” Magic president Jeff Weltman said. “I feel we have a team that’s capable of accomplishing big things.”

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