4. Orlando Magic
Notable up-and-coming players:
- Paolo Banchero, 21
- Franz Wagner, 22
- Tristan da Silva, 23
- Jalen Suggs, 23
- Wendell Carter Jr., 25
The Orlando Magic are a little more top-heavy than the other young cores in the top five rankings, but they get the nod over the Blazers due to having more star power between Paolo Banchero and Franz Wager.
Jalen Suggs is another key piece as an excellent defender who is continually improving his offensive arsenal, which is a scary sight for the rest of the league. It remains to be seen how impactful Colorado's Tristan da Silva, who was selected No. 18 overall, will be in his rookie season. But he's 23 years old, and a significant reason why he was in consideration for being a lottery pick was his ability to contribute immediately. Wendell Carter Jr. is one of the most underrated centers in the league as someone with a well-rounded offense game and the ability to stretch the floor.
The Magic's young core led them to an impressive 47-35 record last season. The Blazers have a great chance of eventually passing them in the ranks, though, as Orlando continues to fight for a playoff run while Portland continues to build through the draft. The one thing this Magic core is missing is a playmaking guard who can shoot the three ball *cough, Anfernee Simons, cough*