What's Wrong With The Orlando Magic?

Sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 6–6 record, the Orlando Magic have had a disappointing start to the 2025–26 schedule to say the least. For a team that entered the season with playoff-contending aspirations after making a big offseason move to acquire sharpshooter Desmond Bane, following back-to-back first-round playoff losses, the slow start has raised serious concerns within the organization and fan base.

One of the potential major issues related to the Magic’s struggles is the rumored growing disconnect between All-Star forward Paolo Banchero and Head Coach Jamahl Mosley. Multiple reports say that communication between the young cornerstone and his coach has become strained, reflected by Banchero’s seeming lack of engagement throughout the start of the season. For anyone watching a Magic game, it’s hard not to notice the minimal eye contact and interaction between the two individuals, which is far from the positive relationship they shared over the past few seasons.

As the number one overall pick in 2022, Banchero’s rise to become one of the elite young forwards in the NBA can be attributed to his relationship with Mosley, a coach who many feel is one of the best player development coaches in the league.

Currently averaging 23 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, Banchero’s numbers are not far off from his career average; however, his shot attempts have dropped by nearly two per game, and his three-point shooting has fallen to just 25 percent. While some of this can be due to the addition of Bane, the bigger question the Magic face is what has become of their defensive identity?

After finishing last season as the league’s second-best defensive team, the Magic are now giving up nearly 116 points per game, sitting 14th overall in defensive rating. While Bane is a major offensive improvement over Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, whom the Magic traded along with Cole Anthony and four draft picks, KCP’s effort on the defensive end at the guard position is obviously missed.

While still early in the season and just four games back of first place, Orlando is also just holding on to the 10th seed by half a game over the Boston Celtics. If the Magic can’t find a way to turn the season around quickly, Mosley will soon find himself on the hot seat, if he hasn’t already.