WalkTheDog

@philiprr_OMD Disappointing finish, but loved Penda and Jase's game. I think these games do matter. Winning is a mentality that carries over. From summer league to training camp to the regular season and hopefully far into the playoffs. Let's win another one and finish strong to the end!

The #Magic led by 30 at one point and let their foot off the gas a bit too much. #Sixers got it within four. But the Magic pull away for a 99-92 win to improve to 3-1. Jase Richardson with his best game in Vegas with 25. Likely no championship, but a good overall showing.

@therealBeede Don't we have one two way opening left?

FINAL in OT: #Magic 112, Trail Blazers 105 Orlando storms back against Portland and wins in OT to capture back-to-back Summer League victories. Lester Quinones leads with 30 points, Colin Castleton notched 21 and Phillip Wheeler scored 18. Keon Johnson added 15 off the bench.

@philiprr_OMD @PredatorPaolo I think Paolo wanted to say something . . . and if it was a good year and Mose was staying, they would of done exit interviews. I am not putting the dysfunction on the team, just that the dysfunction was present. Weltman made the right decision to not do them.

@MattWal65633577 @PredatorPaolo I don't think that is what not doing exit interviews was. I think Weltman was putting the attention of the failures on him and trying to protect a still very young team. He did not want them to have to answer for Mosley's dismissal. It was going to be all from him.

Phil lowk hating

@philiprr_OMD @PredatorPaolo The lack of exit interviews with the press shows how dysfunctional the team was at the end of the year. Weltman immediately addressed the problem at the end of the season. Could he have done it sooner? Yes, but I think he had too much respect for Mose to do him like that.

@PredatorPaolo Y'all wanted me to be more critical of management's decisions. <shrugs> We can look back and say the summer of 2024 did not deliver what the team needed. Still dealing with a lot of the same questions. And Paolo/Franz don't feel maximized.

@OMagicDaily @philiprr_OMD Jase had a nice point guard game last night. He didn't do anything flashy, just basic ball movement to the open guy. Suggs should follow Jase's example: less is more. Might even keep him on the floor, without all the wreckless drives.

.@philiprr_OMD on Suggs' improvement as a passer and the hope he can keep growing this season: orlandomagicdaily.com/orlando-magic-…

Jalen Suggs is at the center of a lot of the conversations about the #Magic. They are hoping he can keep improving in one key area:

@philiprr_OMD This, more than anything, will transform this team. Seems like the players are embracing this and are asking for it. Still need a point guard, though. SVG said this during the game' "Position-less basket ball is fine, but you still need a point guard."

Desmond Bane is eager for the Sean Sweeney era:

@philiprr_OMD That block by Penda!!!

The #Heat still cannot beat the #Magic! Orlando with a really strong defensive effort in the second half. Got a balanced effort with 15 from Jase Richardson and 12/7 from Noah Penda. Lester Quinones with 15 points too. Magic win 93-88.

@mvsonwilliams @therealBeede Looks like he lost some weight or put on muscle?

@therealBeede Paolo looks like he’s back at Duke

New #Magic coach Sean Sweeney (next to Desmond Bane) has been sitting courtside with multiple Orlando players here in Las Vegas: (Tristan da Silva joined the group earlier as well.)

@therealBeede @orlandosports Penda was not only making them, the net was snapping! His mid range looked solid too. Loved his footwork down low and that step through was a clinic. He manhandled a couple of their bigs with some hard fouls. Great game!

My latest for @orlandosports: Encouraged to “let it fly,” #Magic's Noah Penda already seeing results at Las Vegas Summer League: “I really wanted to improve this part because I know this is what is going to keep me on the floor next year,” he said. More: orlandosentinel.com/2026/07/10/orl…

@OMagicDaily Paolo no longer shared Mose's vision for the team. I think it started early on in the season and got worse from there. Paolo stopped listening. Franz is right, everyone needs to be accountable, not just almost everyone. Culture is changing already.

Franz Wagner wants the #Magic to shift their mentality to put a frustrating season behind them: orlandomagicdaily.com/franz-wagner-w…

@philiprr_OMD Moe's absence could be good for Franz. He has his own life to live separate from Moe. Maybe he will meet his soulmate, who probably wouldn't be so interested if Moe was still around. I think he has the maturity to take the next step.

One key departure changes a lot of dynamics on the #Magic's roster: orlandomagicdaily.com/one-key-depart…

@philiprr_OMD Should see noticeable improvements in both of their games. Jase can be that off the bench microwave scorer and Penda the do everything in your face dog (love his fight), then maybe our bench can be our strength again. Mo will be missed.

Summer League is on the way! It is the next big test for Jase Richardson and Noah Penda ahead of their sophomore seasons. What do you hope to see from them? orlandomagicdaily.com/summer-league-…

@omartheomar_ Franz started as this skinny kid and now he is a monster out there. Has the size, strength and dexterity to dominate. He just knows how to best apply himself to the game and winning. No Germany Bball this summer will help get him ready for this season.

Sweeney give him the fucking ball

@OMagicDaily Maybe Cam has matured enough to turn things around. Playing overseas couldn't have been much fun for him. Proper motivation is a powerful lever.

The Magic still have one more open roster spot. I wouldn't be shocked if the plan is to sort of start this as an open competition and bring someone like Reddish in for an E10 in camp to see if he sticks.

#Magic Summer League roster features some familiar names -- Jase Richardson, Noah Penda and Izaiyah Nelson, along with two-way players Colin Castleton and Alex Morales. Then some interesting veterans like Cam Reddish, Keon Johnson and Ace Baldwin Jr.

@OMagicDaily @therealBeede I think they signed JI as a back up in case Vooch and Dell are hurt. Goga will be traded for a guard. Question is, which one?

The #Magic announce they have signed Izaiyah Nelson to a two-way contract. First reported by @therealBeede. The team has one roster spot open. Only has a minimum contract exception available.

@OMagicDaily "As good this year"? Do you mean for the season or the NBA Cup? I think they will come out of the gate with a lot of energy, hopefully that will translate to wins.

To my eye, there are three teams in the East that probably aren't seriously thinking about the Playoffs this season. Two of them are in the Magic's NBA Cup group. Love these early tests. I don't think the Magic will be as good this year with a new coach. But a great litmus test.

Magic got an interesting draw for the NBA Cup group. Rematch with the Pistons and an early look at the Raptors in November.

@OMagicHQ Nervous about losing Mo. He always brought fire and before the injury was in the conversation for 6th man. Also, like the feel good brother and German connection with Franz.

“Orlando is prepared to lose big man Moritz Wagner to unrestricted free agency, sources say, which is why the Magic have rebuffed several teams' trade inquiries into Goga Bitadze. There were some fresh but loud signals Monday that Brooklyn has emerged as a real contender for Franz Wagner's older brother Moe. Sources say that the Magic, incidentally, are expected to re-sign Jonathan Isaac at a smaller salary after waiving Isaac and his non-guaranteed contract Saturday.” Source: @TheSteinLine & @JakeLFischer

@SixthManShow @KeithSmithNBA I would guess its up to Sweeney, but he did say he was leaving personnel decisions to Weltman. It was painful watching JI lose all confidence in his game. Can't take another year like last year.

If the Magic are straight up waiving him, yes. He just has to clear waivers (48 hours) and could then sign with any team (including the Magic). However, if they stretch and waive him, I believe they would not be able to re-sign him. But @KeithSmithNBA can correct me on that!

@UsherNBA Good stuff! Would love to see a comparison between Goga and Dell setting screens. My suspicion is Dell is better, but Goga does a good job rim running . .

WCJ Gortat screening for Franz in PnR

@OMagicDaily I think at number 46 we need to take a flyer on the "Tater Tot" heir, Richie Saunders. This late in the draft, it's unlikely anyone would contribute anyway.

The first round is over. It is on to the second round! My updated target list as the #Magic prepare to pick tonight: