Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic 2019-20 season preview

Magic offseason changes

There wasn’t a lot of roster turnover from last season in Orlando. The marquee addition was adding Al Farouq-Aminu to the frontcourt fold.

Aminu is a nine-year veteran that has been a defensive stabilizer for teams in the past. He is a glue guy that provides defensive versatility, a strong rebounding presence and one who can knockdown a 3-pointer (he’s a 33.7 career shooter on three’s).

But the Magic need to improve offensively over anything else, and it has to come internally. Orlando has sustained a nice core with Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic and Jonathan Isaac, who is expected to take a leap this season.

Orlando already has a Top 5 defense last season but they weren’t able to create much offensively. That’s where they’re hoping that taking a flyer on Markelle Fultz last season pays off.

Fultz, 21, has played 33 games since being selected first overall in 2017. He is, by all means, a bust that’s looking to get his career off the ground. He’s battled injuries, including a shoulder issue after discovering he couldn’t shoot (he’s 4-for-15 on 3-pointers) like he did in college at a 41.3 percent clip.

If Fultz can return to full strength and have confidence in himself, it gives the Magic a different weapon. But there’s no timetable for his return. It could be early this season or, possibly never in a Magic uniform. He has two seasons to play out his rookie contract and prove he is worth another one.

The Magic better hope so because Fultz is a game-changing prospect that could elevate their game on both ends at 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan.

All that being said, here’s how the two teams match up in 2019-20.