Magic rookies shine despite winless summer league showing
The Orlando Magic may have gone 0-5 at the Las Vegas Summer League, but the team’s young players showed promising development that could pay dividends when the regular season tips off in October.
Close losses don’t tell the full story
While the final record looks disappointing on paper, the Magic competed fiercely throughout their 10-day stint in Las Vegas. Orlando fell to three of the four teams that reached the tournament semifinals, losing two of those games by a combined six points.
“The word for this summer league has been relentless and our guys have been exactly that,” said Magic summer league coach Ameer Bahhur. “We played some really good, experienced teams and we hung right with them in some one-possession games.”
The development and growth of younger players proved far more important than wins and losses in the exhibition setting, and on that front, the Magic had plenty to celebrate.
Richardson showcases offensive polish
First-round pick Jase Richardson made an immediate impression in his limited action, appearing in just two games but averaging 16.5 points, 2.5 assists and 1.5 rebounds while shooting an impressive 50% from three-point range.
The 6-foot-1 guard from Michigan State controlled Orlando’s offense, attacked the basket consistently, and showed no fear of contact on either end of the court despite dealing with a lingering ankle injury.
“He played two really tough, physical teams and he did a heck of a job commanding our offense,” Bahhur said. “Defensively, for his first taste of NBA minutes, he did a great job of matching physicality and battling.”
Penda’s versatility stands out
Second-round pick Noah Penda demonstrated why the Magic traded up to select him, showcasing impressive two-way versatility during his three summer league appearances. The 6-foot-7 forward from France averaged 11.3 points on 51.7% shooting, 7.7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.7 blocks.
With his 6-foot-11 wingspan and 242-pound frame, Penda defended multiple positions and even spent time at center, while offensively displaying playmaking ability unusual for his size.
“He showed why we’re so excited about him because of his ability to do it on both sides of the ball,” Bahhur noted.
Da Silva takes sophomore leap
Returning for his second summer league, Tristan da Silva looked noticeably more comfortable and assertive. In two games, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 18.5 points while shooting 38.5% from three on 6.5 attempts per contest, adding six rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.
“There were some good glimpses in there,” da Silva said. “There’s also stuff to still improve upon and learn from this experience. But I feel like this was a really good thing for me.”
Da Silva particularly grew as a vocal leader and improved his comfort level handling the ball in pick-and-roll situations.
Moore makes his case
Perhaps the biggest surprise came from Wendell Moore Jr., the 2022 first-round pick who averaged 13.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and a steal across five games. The Duke product made a strong case for earning a two-way contract somewhere in the league.
“I showed that I deserved to be in this league,” Moore said. “I showed I can be one of the best defenders out here. I can make shots, I can get downhill [and] play secondary lead-guard, if needed.”
Looking ahead to the season
With summer league complete, the Magic’s young core will continue individual development before training camp begins September 30. Some players, including Franz Wagner and Goga Bitadze, will represent their countries at FIBA EuroBasket 2025 in late August.
The promising performances from Richardson, Penda, and da Silva suggest the Magic’s patient approach to building through the draft continues to yield results. While wins didn’t come in Las Vegas, the foundation for future success appears to be taking shape.
Image Sources: https://sports.yahoo.com/article/magic-las-vegas-summer-league-193000872.html
Category: Sports
Subcategory: Summer League
Date: 08/01/2025
