In an offseason where the Magic don’t have the ability to pay much for free agents, we have to trade our way to improvement. I can’t think of a bigger potentially available target than Giannis Antetokounmpo. NBA champion, multi-time MVP, he’s won Defensive Player of the Year. He’s been the face of the NBA for the past few years, whether American media recognizes that or not. He’s again an MVP finalist this season. He’ll be 31 years old in December. Still his prime. I want Gianni to be a one NBA team player. Gianni wants to stay a Buck. But he also wants to win more NBA championships. Milwaukee can’t offer that now. There’s no Jrue Holiday deal to be made. They’re capped out and out of assets to trade. They have no picks to send out. So if Gianni wants another NBA title in the next few years, he’s going to have to orchestrate a trade somewhere. And I don’t know of a better destination for him than Orlando. 

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


169. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Goga Bitadze and Georgia crashed out of EuroBasket, losing to Finland in the quarterfinals. It ends a historic run for that nation. Meanwhile, Franz Wagner just made his 4th consecutive FIBA tournament semifinal, carrying Germany to a win over Luka Doncic’s Slovenia. Franz was Germany’s best player again, but Tristan da Silva’s 3rd quarter buzzer beating halfcourt heave was the spark that swung the game towards their way. Germany will face Finland in the semifinals on Friday.

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


185. Franz Carries Germany; Goga Hits Wall

At 24 years old, Franz Wagner is now a FIBA World Cup as well as EuroBasket champion. Unlike two years ago, his brother Mo Wagner couldn’t be on the court with him. At 24 years old, Tristan da Silva in his first senior national team tournament is a champion. Tristan got to celebrate on the bench with his brother Oscar as Germany took down Turkey 88-83 to win EuroBasket 2025 in what was a fantastic final in Riga, Latvia. It capped off great experiences for both Magic players, as we’re 2 weeks away from Orlando Magic training camp. 

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


186. Franz and Tristan Earn EuroBasket Gold

It’s the first week of school on this 2025-2026 NBA campaign. The Orlando Magic have had their Media Day, they’re practicing, and their first preseason game is this weekend. Class is back in session.

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


187. Class is Back in Session

The Magic are 1-0 in preseason NBA action after taking down the Miami Heat in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Saturday night. Overall, a positive Orlando showing. What did we learn after 48 minutes?

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


188. Positive Puerto Rico Showing

The Magic are 3-0 in preseason after winning in Philly and taking down Miami again this weekend. 1 more exhibition game remains before the games count October 22nd. We also got our first look at a lot new things at Kia Center. Some good, some bad. 

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


189. Beating the Heat; New Rebrand Pains

This is our official Orlando Magic 2025-2026 season preview. We’re doing this in a 37-question format since this is the franchise’s 37th season. Splitting it into two episodes. This is part one, part two will come out 24-48 hours later.

1. How long will the roster remain at 14 NBA contracts?
2. Will we sign a 3rd two-way soon or wait until the back end of the season like last season? 
3. Will the Magic finally break ground on the entertainment complex across from Kia Center by December 31st? 
4. Which Magic jersey will you end up liking more? 
5. What team in the East concerns or scares you the most? Be it regular season or postseason related? 
6. Which NBA media broadcaster will be our favorite to watch this season? 
7. The Magic will finish the season top-12 in PACE? 
8. The Magic will finish top-20 in 3PT% and 3s made? 
9. Excluding the Berlin game, will the Magic go at least 32-8 at Kia Center? 
10. Assuming everyone is healthy, what’s your preferred starting lineup? 
11. Over/Under 5.5 Magic player triple-doubles this season? 
12. Do you even care about the NBA Cup, and will the Magic make it to Las Vegas in December? 
13. Will Adam Silver officially announce the NBA’s new European league venture with FIBA in London/Berlin during the Magic’s Grizzlies two-game series? 
14. Will there be Magic home game backlash from fans without Paul Porter as PA Announcer? 
15. Over/Under 53.5 points in a game for Paolo Banchero this season? 
16. Over/Under 1.5 Rising Stars participants at All-Star Weekend? 
17. Over or Under 2.5 NBA All-Star Game invites? 
18. Will Jonathan Isaac, Wendell Carter Jr., and/or Goga Bitadze get traded before the deadline?

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


190. Thirty-Seven Magic Season Preview Questions - Part One

191. Thirty-Seven Magic Season Preview Questions - Part Two

Honestly, our franchise deserves this. We treat our legendary PA Announcer Paul Porter like shit and give him the boot when he didn’t want to stop. Did the same thing during COVID with our legendary radio man Dennis Neumann. And now Orlando Magic home games at Kia Center are immensely worse and zombie atmospheres without Paul bringing his badly needed energy. And now we have a Paul Porter curse. Jarryd Tribble, you are not prepared for this job. Bad tone usage. A huge lack of fan engagement. The game ops support staff is failing the fans. The Magic are 1-2. 0-2 when the FanDuel Sports Network starting lineup graphic is correct. The was the first time in franchise history we began a season with 3 straight home games in Orlando, and we squandered the chance. Now we hit the road for a season-long 5-game road trip. Got to gel fast. I don’t want to hear any firing or trade talks right now. Work and time. That’s what it’ll take at this moment. Work and time. That and the NBA has a gambling scandal.

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


192. Curse of Paul Porter; Magic 1-2 Homestand

The losing streak ends at four games as the Magic desperately win a game in Charlotte. There were some positive signs from that performance, but most of the early part of this season has been full of undisciplined and downright listless stretches that have cost us games. We went 2-4 in October when it should’ve been 5-1. And Charlotte is not a good team. We gave away the Hawks game because we couldn’t defend in crunch time. That was Game #2 of the season. There’s an extra microscopic view on Jamahl Mosley, who is still in the 2003 Doc Rivers danger zone. Tonight brings a temporary relief. Jeff Weltman is not firing himself for our roster flaws, so it’s Jamahl on the hot seat. Doc got fired eleven games into the 2003-2004 season when we were 1-10. That was also a jersey rebrand season. This is season #5 of Jamahl and he still doesn’t know how to call momentum timeouts consistently. Jamahl still refuses to get thrown out of games when refs are royally screwing his roster over. Pace and offense are not the problems right now, our defense is horrendous. Giving up 107 in Charlotte is a step in the correct direction. Way too much bad body language at times. Mosley is 6 games from surpassing Doc Rivers for the 3rd-most Magic games coached in franchise history. It’s still not a given Jamahl is going make it to that milestone.

Orlando picked up the team contract options for Anthony Black and Tristan da Silva, but declined Jett Howard’s. Jett will now be a free agent in the summer. The Magic will see 10 of their games broadcast over the air locally in Orlando and Tampa. That’s very exciting as far as potentially breaking away from regional sports networks goes.

All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


193. Undisciplined and Listless Stretches; Magic 2-4

This is a dispatch from Washington D.C. as your Orlando Magic take care of business inside Capital One Arena and beat the Wizards 125-94. We needed a blowout victory to build back up our confidence on this road trip. The Magic are now 3-4 after this fourth game of their 5-game road trip. I was in the building, section 100. And want to discuss it. 
All of that and more!

#LetsGoMagic 

Warning: Adult Language


194. Dispatch from D.C.: Magic Storm Capital One Arena

The Penny & Pops Podcast is hosted by Adam Papageorgiou (Pops) and Spenser Strode (Penny). All matters Orlando Magic basketball are discussed. The opinions expressed are local and strong. This is the longest running podcast (since 2009) dedicated to talking Orlando Magic basketball.

We are the two most knowledgeable people when it comes to Orlando Magic history that you can listen to. We aim to present unique viewpoints that you won't find in traditional media outlets. We want to bring a passionate piece of Orlando to your listening devices. 

*Warning* Episodes may and probably do contain profanity.

RIP to MagicBasketballOnline.com

Please rate and review us. We do this for fun and for your entertainment. For feedback or questions you may want answered on the podcast: email us at pennyandpopspodcast@gmail.com, tweet at us @SpenserStrode, or find us on Bluesky @adampapageorgiou.bsky.social.

169. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Penny & Pops Podcast - Orlando Magic Basketball

Related tracks