What Happened to Orlando Magic?
The Orlando Magic, an NBA franchise established in 1989, have experienced periods of significant success with stars like Shaquille O'Neal and Dwight Howard, reaching the NBA Finals twice. After a rebuilding phase, the team has re-emerged as a playoff contender with a young core led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, consistently making the postseason in recent years and currently competing in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. The DeVos family continues to own the team, with a succession plan involving the third generation taking a more active role.
Quick Answer
The Orlando Magic are an NBA team currently in a competitive phase, having made the playoffs for three consecutive seasons (2024, 2025, and 2026). Led by young stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, they finished the 2025-26 season with a 45-37 record, securing the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. As of May 2, 2026, they are actively competing in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, leading their series against the Detroit Pistons 3-2. The team's ownership remains with the DeVos family, who are transitioning more involvement to the third generation.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Orlando Magic Franchise Established
The Orlando Magic were established as an expansion franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Rich DeVos Purchases the Team
Businessman Rich DeVos acquired the Orlando Magic for $85 million, providing stable ownership for the nascent franchise.
Draft Shaquille O'Neal First Overall
The Magic won the NBA Lottery and drafted future Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal with the first overall pick, marking the beginning of a highly successful era.
First NBA Finals Appearance
Led by Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, the Magic reached the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, ultimately losing to the Houston Rockets.
Draft Dwight Howard First Overall
The Magic once again secured the first overall pick and drafted Dwight Howard, who would become another franchise cornerstone and lead the team to future success.
Second NBA Finals Appearance
With Dwight Howard at the helm, the Orlando Magic made their second NBA Finals appearance, where they were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Amway Center (now Kia Center) Opens
The team moved into its new state-of-the-art home, the Amway Center, a multi-purpose arena in downtown Orlando.
Draft Paolo Banchero First Overall
The Magic drafted Paolo Banchero with the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, a move that significantly accelerated their rebuilding efforts.
Amway Center Renamed Kia Center
The Orlando Magic's home arena officially changed its name from Amway Center to Kia Center.
Paolo Banchero Named NBA All-Star
In just his second NBA season, Paolo Banchero was named an NBA All-Star, signaling his emergence as a league star and the Magic's growing potential.
Return to NBA Playoffs (2023-24 Season)
The Magic finished the 2023-24 season with a 47-35 record, securing the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference and making their first playoff appearance since 2020. They lost in the first round.
Draft Tristan da Silva
The Orlando Magic selected Tristan da Silva with the 18th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, adding a versatile forward with shooting ability.
Qualify for 2025 NBA Playoffs
The Magic finished the 2024-25 season with a 41-41 record, clinching the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference via the Play-In Tournament. They were eliminated in the first round by the Boston Celtics.
Draft Jase Richardson
The Orlando Magic selected Jase Richardson with the 25th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, aiming to bolster their backcourt depth and shooting.
DeVos Family Announces Ownership Succession Plan
The DeVos family confirmed their commitment to owning the Magic and announced a succession plan, with the third generation, including Ryan DeVos, taking on greater involvement in the team's operations.
Currently Competing in 2026 NBA Playoffs
The Orlando Magic finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 45-37 record, securing the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. As of today, they are leading their first-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons 3-2.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Orlando Magic franchise was established in 1989, joining the National Basketball Association as an expansion team. Early in their history, the Magic quickly rose to prominence after drafting Shaquille O'Neal in 1992 and pairing him with Penny Hardaway, leading to their first NBA Finals appearance in 1995. Following O'Neal's departure, the team saw another era of star power with Tracy McGrady, and later, Dwight Howard. The 'Dwight Howard era' culminated in the team's second NBA Finals appearance in 2009.
After Howard's departure in 2012, the Magic entered a prolonged rebuilding phase, enduring several seasons outside of playoff contention. This period was characterized by a focus on drafting young talent and developing a new core. A significant turning point came with the selection of Paolo Banchero as the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Banchero quickly established himself as a cornerstone, earning an All-Star selection in February 2024. Under Head Coach Jamahl Mosley, who began his tenure in 2021, the team has emphasized defensive principles and player development.
The consequences of this rebuild began to materialize in the 2023-24 season when the Magic returned to the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season, finishing 5th in the Eastern Conference with a 47-35 record before losing in the first round. This momentum carried into the 2024-25 season, where they posted a 41-41 record, clinched the Southeast Division for the second consecutive year, and secured the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference, though they were again eliminated in the first round by the Boston Celtics.
As of the 2025-26 season, the Orlando Magic continue their upward trajectory. They finished the regular season with a 45-37 record, placing 8th in the Eastern Conference. The team qualified for the NBA Playoffs via the play-in tournament, securing a spot for the third consecutive season. Their home arena, the Kia Center (formerly Amway Center), which opened in 2010, continues to host their games. Key players like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs form the core of the team.
In terms of ownership, the DeVos family, who purchased the team in 1991, remains committed to the franchise. In July 2025, the family announced a succession plan, with members of the third generation, such as Ryan DeVos, taking on more involved roles within the organization, solidifying the team's long-term presence in Orlando and dispelling any rumors of a sale. The Magic are currently engaged in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, holding a 3-2 series lead against the Detroit Pistons as of May 2, 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Orlando Magic made different choices?