The magicThe team’s roster was largely unchanged in the offseason after the team finished eighth in the East and was eliminated in the first round of the 2025/26 playoffs. Still, Orlando has a new head coach, and Magic players have been impressed with what they’ve seen so far from the former Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney.
“When I was in Europe, (Sweeney) called me like every week that I thought it was great, just to cut it open for real.” German forward Franz Wagner said at a youth basketball camp on Sunday, trans Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel (subscription required). “He had certain things he wanted to talk about. First, he’s very direct (with) communication. He’s very honest (and) says what he feels. It’s going to be a lot of changes in how we do things. All good things.
“So, I’m really excited to see what the new staff brings. It’ll be interesting how we react to that as a group. Obviously, we’ve had the same coach for the last five years. It’s going to be some changes and adjustments for us, how we’re coached, and that’s where the growth comes in. So, I’m excited about that.”
On media day on Monday, go ahead Paolo Bunchera said Swinney called him shortly after he was hired and that they had several long conversations during the offseason, with the new head coach also flying to Seattle to spend time with him (Link to Twitter via Beede).
According to forward Tristan da Silva (Link to Twitter via Beede), Sweeney met with each of Orlando’s players and outlined the roles he expects them to play. Da Silva described the new head coach’s approach as very detailed, structured and attentive.
We have more on Magic:
- Magic ahead Jonathan Isaacwhose 2025-26 season ended early with a sprained left knee, told reporters on Monday that he will not be fully restricted at the start of training camp, according to Bidet (Link to Twitter). “We expect everything to be fine” – said Isaac.
- The fourth year of the guard Anthony Black is eligible for a rookie-scale extension until Oct. 19, but he suggested Monday that he wasn’t sure whether he and the cap-strap Magic would reach that deadline and wasn’t stressing about it. “If it happens, it happens” Black said, according to Bid (Link to Twitter).
- After signing with the Magic in the buyout market in February and playing a regular role with the team throughout the stretch, Jevon Carter agreed to a new one-year, minimum-salary contract with Orlando at the start of free agency. On Monday, Carter called the decision “unwise,” according to Beado (Link to Twitter), adding that he has kept his home in the area in the hope that he can renew his contract with the club.
- 2026 second round pick Isaiah Nelson underwent surgery in July to address a broken left ankle he suffered during the Las Vegas Summer League. Nelson said Monday that he has resumed a small amount of work on the court, although he is president of basketball operations Jeff Veltman suggested that the rookie is “still maybe a month or so” away from playing live, Tweets by Beede.
