The Orlando Magic's acquisition of Desmond Bane was met with excitement in 2026, but the team's disappointing season has changed the narrative. The Magic are no longer considered a top contender in the Eastern Conference, and their roster is expected to remain largely unchanged. The team's inability to meet expectations has led to a shift in perception, with many doubting their ability to make a deep playoff run. The Magic will need to prove themselves on the court to regain the benefit of the doubt. With the offseason still ahead, the team will add a few players to supplement their bench, but the early predictions are not in their favor. Law Murray of The Athletic ranked the Magic 14th in his post-Finals power rankings, while ESPN ranked them 15th in their postseason power rankings. The Magic's offense will be a key area of focus, particularly after their Game 6 collapse. The team has a long way to go to avoid the Play-In tournament, and the sports books reflect this change, with the Magic at +5000 to win the title. The Magic were +4000 to win the title last year in the preseason, but nobody is buying that Desmond Bane alone can change the team's fortunes. The Magic have a lot to prove in 2027.