3 teams that could upgrade from hiring Mike Budenholzer
Teams that need Mike Budenholzer: 1. Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic were quietly one of the most surprising teams in the NBA this year. In the team’s first 25 games, they had a record of 5-20 but in their remaining 57 games of the season, they finished above .500 going 29-28, finishing 34-48 on the year. The Magic are an up-and-coming team and could really use the right coach to get them over the hump.
Adding Coach Bud could drastically improve this team going into next year. We have already seen Bud have success with average talent in the NBA but imagine what he could do with the rising talent the Magic have. This team has two rising stars with Franz Wagner, who averaged 18.6 points per game on 49/36/84 splits, and the 2023 Rookie of the Year, Paolo Banchero, who averaged 20 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. Given Paolo is 6-foot-10, 250 lbs, and extremely versatile, Bud could turn him into the next LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Bud would also have a great impact on the guard play of the Magic, especially Markelle Fultz. Fultz quietly averaged 14 points on 51 percent shooting from the field and 5.7 assists per game this season. Adding Bud’s team basketball system could see an increase in Fultz’s assists where he’s potentially averaging eight assists a game and still giving you 15 to 18 efficient points a night.
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