Orlando Magic are one of those NBA franchises that are still waiting for their first ever NBA championship. The franchise entered the league in the late 1980s, and in recent years, Orlando has become a bottom-tier team with very little chance of success after a first-round playoff exit. Orlando has had some of the greatest players in their franchise, but they have never won the NBA championship. In fact, a few famous players were at their peak during their time with the Magic.
10. Hedo Turkoglu
Turkoglu was a solid player who contributed in every area of the game, but he wasn’t considered a game-changer until he signed with the Magic. The team improved more and more each season during Hedo’s five years with the franchise. During his final season with the team, they reached the 2009 NBA Finals before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. Many still believe that the Magic never made another final due to Turkoglu’s departure that summer.
9. Grant Hill
Grant Hill was traded to the Orlando Magic in 2000. However, he missed his first season with the team due to injuries. During his seven-year stint with the team, Hill made three All-Star appearances. He played fewer than 30 games in five of the seven seasons, but G contributed at his best whenever he was on the court. Hill quickly transitioned from a rising superstar to a role player.
8. Scott Skiles
Orlando Magic selected Skiles in 1989 in the NBA expansion draft. He was a valuable asset to the Orlando Magic during his seven-year stint with them. For a player just 6’1″, Skiles was surprisingly an efficient scorer on the court. To date, he holds the NBA record for most assists in a game. In 1990, on December 30, Skiles racked up 30 assists in the game against the Denver Nuggets and led Orlando to a 155-116 victory. He went on to serve as head coach of the Orlando Magic.
7. Rashard Lewis
Rashard Lewis played his first nine NBA seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics and then joined the Orlando Magic. He became an underrated game-changer for their franchise. Orlando improved their game and became a title contender. Lewis made an All-Star team and was part of the most recent core to contend for the title. He became the leading scorer and one of the most important players on the team. His stature declined towards the end of his contract, but he certainly flourished in the first few years.
6. Nick Anderson
Nick Anderson spent most of his career with the Orlando Magic and he was a valuable asset to them. He played alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway. Even though there was less pressure on him, Anderson was still instrumental in their success. However, Orlando fans will always remember him missing four NBA Finals free throws, which ultimately cost them the game and the series. Nick was never the same mentally, but he was always successful as a notable role player for the Magic.
5. Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard was drafted by the Orlando Magic straight out of high school and it turned out to be a good decision for the team. After Shaq and Yoo Ming were ruled out due to injuries and age, Howard was considered the best center in the league for most of his stint. Howard made his first six All-Star appearances as part of the Magic. He was not only a dominant defensive player but a great offensive player as well. However, after leaving Orlando, Dwight just kept bouncing from team to team without finding a good home.
4. Nikola Vucevic
Vucevic was traded to the Orlando Magic in 2012 as a part of a blockbuster four-team deal that sent Howard to the LA Lakers. The same year, he set a franchise record with 29 rebounds. Vucevic became the best player for Magic for most of his eight and a half seasons with them. He continued to improve his game and made two All-Star teams, leaving the franchise as the only player to do so since Howard.
3. Penny Hardaway
Hardaway was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the 1993 NBA draft but was later traded to the Orlando Magic. He spent seven years with the team and his prime with this franchise. Hardaway made four consecutive All-Star appearances and three All-NBA selections. His career ended quickly due to injuries, but he is still considered a legend for the Orlando franchise to this day.
2. Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady was an impactful offensive player for the Orlando Magic. After a few years as a role player behind Vince Carter with the Toronto Raptors, Orlando made a bold move and signed McGrady to a big contract. He made the All-Star team in each of his four years playing for the Magic. In one season, he even averaged 32.1 points.
1. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal was the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA draft. He spent just five years with the team, but no one impacted the Magic franchise more than him. The Orlando Magic had Shaq on the roster for his first four seasons, but he posted impressive numbers each year. His short tenure with the team also gave Magic the biggest chance to win a title, but things fell apart. Shaq’s numbers are still the best and his impact is the highest of all Magic players.
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