PHOTOS: A Nearly All-New Orlando Magic Energized for 2021-22 Season
Orlando Magic's new head coach Jamahl Mosley talks with the press during the team's 2021 Orlando Magic Media Day at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – During Orlando Magic’s Media Day Monday, the team’s resounding message featured two key words: excitement and energy. The Orlando Magic transitioned out of its “old guard” over the course of last season, from head coach Steve Clifford to NBA All-Star players Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon, who had been with the team for seven years. Evan Fournier had been in Orlando for five and he too was traded. Some fans–and even some reporters–were disappointed that the Magic traded some its most reliable heavy-hitting players. The decision to bring in a newer and much younger roster left the team vulnerable towards the end of last season.
Orlando’s New and Younger Roster
The last of the “old guard” includes Terrence Ross, Mo Bamba and Michael Carter-Williams, whose injuries came towards the end of the 2020 season, and Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz, who have been recovering from nearly season-long injuries. During Media Day Monday, they all shared that recovery was going well and without incident, expressing excitement to get back on the court this season.
Mid-season last year, the Magic added Chuma Okeke, Gary Harris, RJ Hampton, Moritz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. The new team’s flow on the court showed a promising attack, but lackluster defense. In the offseason, the Magic filled in the gaps with centers Robin Lopez (an NBA veteran) and Jon Teske; and guards E’Twaun Moore, Jeff Dowtin, Hassani Gravett, and Jalen Suggs. They’ve also added forwards Franz Wagner–who joins his brother Moritz on the team, Admiral Schofield, and Ignas Brazdeikis, who they promoted from the G-League.
Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News 
Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz poses for promotional photos for the Orlando Magic’s 2021-22 season. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic guard Michael Carter-Williams. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony poses for promotional photos for the Orlando Magic’s 2021-22 season. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley and center Robin Lopez talk briefly during Media Day at Amway Center. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic guard E’Twaun Moore. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic center Robin Lopez. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic forward Ignas Brazdeikis poses for promotional photos for the Orlando Magic’s 2021-22 season. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic forward Ignas Brazdeikis poses for promotional photos for the Orlando Magic’s 2021-22 season. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic guard Jeff Dowtin poses for promotional photos for the Orlando Magic’s 2021-22 season. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony poses for promotional photos for the Orlando Magic’s 2021-22 season. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony poses for promotional photos for the Orlando Magic’s 2021-22 season. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony poses for promotional photos for the Orlando Magic’s 2021-22 season. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News. 
Orlando Magic center Robin Lopez. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News.
New head coach Jamahl Mosley’s on the young end himself as head coach. Guard Cole Anthony pegged him at 42 years old during his press conference Monday, and he was correct.
Mosley also expressed his eagerness to get the team on the court. Though he’s known to motivate the team with motivational quotes and “a lot of energy,” as players recalled Monday, Mosley told the press, “There’s no substitute for doing the work. At the end of the day, it’s all about getting in the gym and doing the work.”
Mellissa Thomas is Editor for Florida National News, part of the FNN News Network. All photos taken by Rafael Crisostomo for Florida National News. | mellissa.thomas@floridanationalnews.com