Southeast Notes: Magic Target More Shooting, Wizards Eye Lottery Prize, Hornets Owners See Room to Grow, Hawks Receive Season Grades
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Orlando, FL — Orlando Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said the club will again prioritize outside shooting this summer, even though the front office has less room to maneuver than it did a year ago, when it traded for Desmond Bane.
“Those are our challenges,” Weltman told reporters earlier this week. “If we’re going to make a major move, then you’re going to break into the core. Short of acquiring a star player, I do believe the greatest impact you can have on a team is to bring in a new coach.”
Weltman added that Orlando will look at “smaller nibbles” to improve the roster and hopes to add veterans who can help the club’s key players reach their ceilings.
Wizards guaranteed top-five pick
The Washington Wizards will leave Sunday’s 2026 draft lottery with a selection no lower than No. 5. Team evaluators believe six potential stars sit atop the class, according to The Athletic’s David Aldridge and Josh Robbins.
If the Wizards secure the first or second pick, the outlet projects they will decide between AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. Should the pick fall to No. 5 and Dybantsa, Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson are off the board, Aldridge and Robbins list Darius Acuff as the most likely choice.
Hornets owners encouraged but not satisfied
Charlotte Hornets co-owners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall praised the team’s 2025-26 progress while emphasizing the need for further growth. “You look at the playoffs, we would have had a tough time,” Schnall told The Charlotte Observer. “We’re not going to be satisfied just being a competitive team. We will do everything we can to get better.”
Hawks report card
Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution issued season grades for the Atlanta Hawks. Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Onyeka Okongwu and CJ McCollum earned the top individual mark at B-plus. Williams awarded both the coaching staff and the front office a B.
Source: Hoops Rumors
