The NBA Loser Lineup: Paolo Banchero, Magic on the rise in fantasy and reality

Welcome to “The Loser Lineup,” where we delve into what teams eliminated from playoff contention must do to elevate their fantasy basketball game. As the dust settles on this season’s disappointments, it’s time for these teams to strategize, rebuild and reinvigorate their rosters for a shot at redemption next season. Join us as we explore the pivotal moves and player evaluations that could change the fantasy landscape by next year.

This story will continuously be updated as each NBA team heads for Cancún and we add them to the Loser Lineup.

The Magic exceeded last year’s win total by 13 games, the second-highest margin in the league. Paolo Banchero earned his first All-Star berth, and Franz Wagner put up career-highs in points, rebounds and assists. But what really caught the league by surprise was Orlando’s shift in becoming a top-three defensive team, a testament to their potential for future growth and performance.

One of the most exciting developments this season was the mini-breakout of Jalen Suggs. His improved defense and shooting from the field make him a promising prospect for the upcoming season. Similarly, Wendell Carter Jr. is expected to see a rise in his numbers, especially if the Magic decide not to re-sign Goga Bitadze.

These potential player developments hint at a bright future for the Orlando Magic.

As we look ahead to the next season, there are still some uncertainties for the team though. It’s too early to know if Anthony Black or Cole Anthony will take over point guard duties or if Jonathan Isaac can maintain his performance for fantasy relevancy. However, one thing is for sure — there’s a lot to look forward to for this young Orlando unit. Don’t be surprised to see them invest in some much-needed shooters to pair with Banchero and Wagner this summer as they continue to shape their roster for the future.

Fantasy managers enjoyed an unexpected win with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and James Harden playing in 68-plus games this year. All three were great values relative to their ADP, but can they be trusted going forward? Leonard’s knee is acting up again, forcing him to miss multiple games against the Mavericks, so he hasn’t shaken his injury risk yet. And there’s more.

Leonard and Norman Powell are the only notable players under contract beyond 2025. James Harden is an unrestricted free agent looking for a deal, while Paul George and Russell Westbrook could exercise their player options to stay with the team.

Ivica Zubac is coming off his best season, and he appears safe with no competition in the frontcourt right now. Still, with so much in flux with this team’s stars, a lot can change this offseason.

More on Clippers’ offseason outlook

What will move the fantasy needle for 76ers? Finally, Tobias Harris will be out of there. After one of the worst max deals in recent memory, the Sixers will have considerable financial flexibility this offseason. Locking up Tyrese Maxey is of the utmost priority, and it’ll be interesting…