SnoTap NBA Preview: Orlando Magic

This one is probably the most painful of previews to do, personally. There's the obvious pain from the epic fail of a trade that was the Tobias Harris for JJ Redick move, and then there is the pain from the overall rebuilding philosophy that the Magic are displaying so well. It helps when a dysfunctional franchise, like the Bucks, gifts a team a talented young player (that they some how failed to evaluate) in Harris.

Anyway, the Magic are young and should get good pretty quickly. It will take a couple more seasons before they can compete for a playoff spot but they are certainly pointing themselves in the right direction.

The X-Factor: C Nikola Vucevic - Arguably the most important piece of their good, young core, Vucevic was given a chance to start after coming over in the Dwight Howard trade before last year and didn't disappoint. He averaged 13 ppg and 12 rebounds per game for the Magic last year. If he can take another step forward, the Magic have a pretty special player on their hands. He just turned 23 on October 24.

The Big Question: Who will play small forward? - Basketball fans have wondered this since this Magic acquired an unknown commodity (at the time, outside of Milwaukee -- excluding Bucks team facilities) Harris and already had a young prospect in Maurice "Mo" Harkless. We know one thing for sure, it won't be Hedo Turkoglu. Harris burst on the scene when given his opportunity with the Magic but some view him as more of a power forward and thus, the two might share a lot of time on the floor.

Key Additions: PF Jason Maxiell - Maxiell signed with the Magic out of nowhere. I guess he doesn't mind playing out the duration of his deal on a team that's so obviously building a young core.

Key Departures: None, unless you want to count them getting rid of the middling vets (Redick, Josh McRoberts, Al Harrington's corpse) at the trade deadline last season. Expect more to follow this season. Guys like Jameer Nelson, Aaron Afflalo and Big Baby Davis will be on the block.

Magic Draft: SG Victor Oladipo, PF Romero Osby - Oladipo was the most dynamic player in Division 1 basketball last year at Indiana. I think he'll be a good pro for a while. Being compared to Dwyane Wade is a lot to live up to but it's plausible. Osby didn't make the team out of camp. He was beat out by 29 year old drifter, Solomon Jones.

Prediction: The Magic likely have a long year ahead of them but with all the young talent that has great potential and a likely shot at another top 5 pick, the Magic will be highly competitive in no time...I would imagine.