Orlando Magic X-Factor For The 2025-26 Season - Tyus Jones

The Orlando Magic have made repeated trips to the NBA playoffs, only to be ousted in the first round. This year, many expect the Central Florida team to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. With their core of players aged 25 years or less, led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, it might be one of the newest additions to the roster that can be the X-factor in pushing the team deeper into the playoffs.

Signed as a free agent during the offseason, Tyus Jones provides the Magic with backcourt insurance for starting point guard Jalen Suggs. Although Anthony Black has shown growth during his first two seasons, Jones gives the Magic a veteran presence that is capable of playing with the starting five or as the man in charge of the second unit. Jones’ experience, basketball IQ, and ability to manage the floor are key qualities that could be the difference between another first-round exit and contending for the Eastern Conference title.

What makes Jones valuable to the Magic is his proven ability to manage the game. Over a decade in the league, Jones has averaged 7.7 points and 4.4 assists. While these are relatively modest numbers, it is Jones’ assist-to-turnover ratio that is especially attractive. As the longest-tenured NBA player on the roster and with 27 playoff games of experience, including three straight postseason runs with the Memphis Grizzlies, Jones’ steady hand and understanding of NBA spacing and ball movement are extremely important on a young team like the Magic.

When Banchero or Wagner face defensive pressure or the offense stalls, having a reliable floor general who can bring a calming influence is key. A 41% three-point shooter during the last two seasons and 37% for his career, Jones, along with fellow newcomer Desmond Bane, brings the Magic some much-needed three-point shooting, something that the team is sorely in need of.

The Magic have a roster talented enough to finish among the top four in the wide-open Eastern Conference this season. Complementing their young scoring trio with a stable point guard, it is not out of the realm of reality to believe that Orlando could enter the playoffs with home-court advantage.