Magic-Pistons opener provides insight into the process of teams’ rebuilds

In many means, it was acceptable for the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons to open up their 2022-23 seasons towards every other.

The Magic drafted the No. 1 decide on in June’s NBA draft in Paolo Banchero when the Pistons chosen Cade Cunningham with past year’s leading choose.

Equally started out rebuilds in the past 2 1/2 a long time, have several young proficient gamers bordering their leading picks and are amongst the league’s top-four youngest teams.

“I’m not, primarily based on 1 activity, measuring in which we are,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said pregame. “We’re at the very same level as much as the place we’re at the rebuild so to converse. Regardless of what transpires, it does not identify who the Magic are likely to be and who the Pistons are and who they are likely to be. It’s a great take a look at for equally groups since we’re extremely equivalent in in which we are in our packages.”

The Magic and Pistons concluded 15th and 14th, respectively, in the Eastern Conference’s standings very last season but are optimistic about their futures.

Bordering Banchero are younger abilities these types of as Franz Wagner, who was named to the league’s All-Rookie 1st staff in 2021-22, Wendell Carter Jr., who’s coming off a breakout season and Jalen Suggs, final year’s No. 5 pick.

The Pistons utilised two lottery picks to draft Jaden Ivey (No. 5) and Jalen Duren (No. 13) more than the summer.

“They’ve got fantastic young expertise,” mentor Jamahl Mosley said pregame. “They’ve completed a terrific task through the draft and creating their fellas to become fantastic youthful players. Equivalent to us, we’ve obtained excellent younger expertise. These fellas are bonding and coming together, which is a superb thing to see.”

Starting guard Cole Anthony was dominated out for Wednesday’s time-opener versus the Detroit Pistons since of an health issues less than 30 minutes before tipoff.

Anthony was at first in the Magic’s beginning lineup along with Terrence Ross, Wagner, Banchero and Carter Jr. ahead of staying dominated out.

Suggs changed Anthony as a starter.

Caleb Houstan, Bol Bol, Mo Bamba and Chuma Okeke were portion of the Magic’s nine-man rotation in the 1st half.

Markelle Fultz (fractured remaining massive toe), Gary Harris (still left knee rehabilitation), Jonathan Isaac (left knee rehabilitation) and Moe Wagner (sprained ideal midfoot) sat.

“I think we will keep feeling that out,” Mosley explained of the rotation, “to enable these fellas fully grasp that we want them to get a rhythm for what’s going on in the online games.”

This write-up first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. E-mail Khobi Rate at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price tag.

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