2026-27 Magic Fantasy Preview
The Magic are hoping better health can erase the disappointment of an injury-riddled 2025-26 campaign. But after a busy offseason around the Eastern Conference, simply getting healthy may not be enough. Which Magic players are poised to gain fantasy value, and which ones could disappoint?
Franz Wagner, SF/PF
📊 Trend: ⬇️
🗝️ Key Stats: PTS, FG%, FT%, TO
⚠️ Risk: 🟢 Low
🔓 Value Unlock: Recover lost assists and increase 3-point shooting volume
💡 Quick Hits: Wagner’s 2025-26 season was plagued by ankle and calf injuries with accompanying setbacks that derailed his fantasy game. He saw an across-the-board drop in his production, resulting in a drop in his fantasy stock.
❓ Big Question(s): What is the next-level evolution in Franz Wagner’s game going to look like?
🎯 Draft Range: 35-45
⭐ Fantasy Take: The play is to lean into Wagner’s disappointing results from last season and hope to get him at a discount in this season’s drafts. He experienced no setbacks during his summer recovery and rehab program and is expected to be healthy entering training camp. Wagner is poised for a bounce-back season.
Desmond Bane, SG/SF
📊 Trend: ↔️
🗝️ Key Stats: PTS, 3PM, FG%, FT%
⚠️ Risk: 🟢 Low
🔓 Value Unlock: Return to seven-plus 3PA per game
💡 Quick Hits: Bane's role changed after arriving in Orlando and it didn’t do his fantasy value any favors. His 3-point volume fell to 5.2 attempts per game, the lowest mark since his rookie year, while his assists also declined.
❓ Big Question(s): The move to the Magic didn’t fare so well for Bane’s fantasy game. Is this new Bane who we should expect moving forward?
🎯 Draft Range: 45-55
⭐ Fantasy Take: Despite the decline in 3PM, Bane still has some appeal in category formats thanks to his efficient FG% and decent assists. He should slide in drafts this season, so take advantage of the expected draft-day discount.
Jalen Suggs, PG/SG
📊 Trend: ⬆️
🗝️ Key Stats: AST, STL, 3PM
⚠️ Risk: 🟢 Low
🔓 Value Unlock: Improve FG%, lower TO
💡 Quick Hits: Suggs was limited to playing 57 games last season, but he notably finished strong, chipping close to two 3s and two steals per game.
❓ Big Question(s): How much of a threat will an emerging Anthony Black be to Jalen Suggs this season?
🎯 Draft Range: 75-85
⭐ Fantasy Take: Suggs’ lack of scoring and generally poor FG% should keep his fantasy appeal in check. That said, he can be a useful source of 3s, assists and steals in the middle rounds, so keep that in mind.
Paolo Banchero, PF/C
📊 Trend: ↔️
🗝️ Key Stats: PTS, REB, AST
⚠️ Risk: 🟢 Low
🔓 Value Unlock: Fix his FG% and develop on the defensive end of the floor.
💡 Quick Hits: Banchero is this generation’s poster boy for the gap between points and category scoring formats. He’s a great player in real life, but the numbers simply do not support an aggressive stance here.
❓ Big Question(s): Banchero is still relatively young and has room to grow. Can he unlock other dimensions to his game beyond his offensive repertoire?
🎯 Draft Range: 75-85
⭐ Fantasy Take: Sad to say, but Banchero is a trap in category league drafts. He will need to make leaps in multiple categories to support his ADP. He can fit very specific builds, but unless that situation is spot on, feel free to let someone else roll the dice on him early.
Anthony Black, PG/SG
📊 Trend: ⬆️
🗝️ Key Stats: PTS, AST, STL
⚠️ Risk: 🟢 Low
🔓 Value Unlock: A stable sixth-man role and a higher usage rate
💡 Quick Hits: Black was a key fill-in starter for the Magic as they navigated an injury-filled season in 2025-26. He took advantage of the opportunity and emerged as a more well-rounded two-way threat, making him one of the season's best waiver wire pickups.
❓ Big Question(s): Is Anthony Black and his developmental trajectory the Magic’s answer to staying competitive in a buffed Eastern Conference? If so, how much better will he be with consistently higher usage and playing time?
🎯 Draft Range: 125-135
⭐ Fantasy Take: Black is a bit of an upside swing late in drafts. The good news is that he’s established a bit of momentum heading into the 2026-27 season.
Wendell Carter Jr., C
📊 Trend: ↔️
🗝️ Key Stats: REB, FG%, TO
⚠️ Risk: 🟢 Low
🔓 Value Unlock: Diversify contributions with more 3s, STL, and BLK
💡 Quick Hits: WCJ is one of those afterthought center picks at the end of drafts.
❓ Big Question(s): Is there anything we can hope to see as far as an improved ceiling for Carter Jr. is concerned? How much of a threat will an aging Nikola Vucevic pose to Carter this season?
🎯 Draft Range: 135-145
⭐ Fantasy Take: WCJ’s fantasy value has been propped up mostly by his low turnovers, but his positive counting stats have been uninspiring at best, with the probable exception of his rebounds. For me, I’d rather gamble on a high-upside young player than settle for a WCJ-type late in drafts.
👀 Players to Watch: Goga Bitadze, Tristan Da Silva, Nikola Vucevic
