The defending Eastern Conference Champion Osceola Magic open the 2025-26 G League season Friday and Saturday night at Silver Spurs Arena against The Texas Legends—with an almost completely different look than when they last appeared, the loss in the league championship clincher against the Stockton Kings.
“I haven’t watched Game 3 of the finals. That is something I will not do,” third-year Osceola Magic coach Dylan Murphy said of that 118-110 loss. “There is too much trauma there.
“One of the great things about the G League is you get a whole new returning group every year. We’re trying to get the next crop of guys a chance in the NBA. We’re trying to win games like any other team, but to see those guys get called up and live their dreams is a cool thing.”
Gone are last year’s top two scorers: current Indiana Pacers guard Mac McClung (25.7 ppg., 5.7 apg., 3.9 rpg.) and Ethan Thompson (18.4 ppg., 4.9 rpg.), who signed with the G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Back in is 6-10 center Colin Castleton (17.4 ppg., 10.6 rpg., 2.8 apg.), a former Florida Gator who allowed the Magic to have a solid inside presence after he was traded to the team last January. He missed the playoff games as he signed a contract to play for the Toronto Raptors at the end of the NBA season.
When Castleton was playing with Osceola the offense tended to play off the inside post position, rather than seeking the quickest 3-point shot. While the Magic will still be playing fast and shooting up the 3-ball, expect to see a more patient inside-out half-court offense comparted to last season to make the best use of Castleton.
“Colin brings a level of violence to the game in that very few guys I’ve been around are that physical intentionally. Some guys are tall, strong, whatever,” Murphy said “But Colin loves contact, which makes him a great finisher, rebounder, and now a leader for us.”
Castleton is signed on a two-way contract and can also play games for the Orlando Magic during the season, along with Orlando Robinson and Jamal Cain.
“I’ll do whatever coach Murphy needs,” Castleton said of his role on and off the court. “On the basketball court. I’m being aggressive and giving 100 percent every second I’m on the court. Being a leader and showing I’m more physical. I’m not going to back down to anybody.
“I will be dominating in the paint and helping them win games. I wanted to win a championship with them last year, but I got called up.”
Another major emphasis for the squad is defense. Osceola used their first pick in the G League to sign former Penn State guard Ace Baldwin Jr., considered by scouts as an elite defensive player and point guard. He was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year the last two seasons, and holds the Penn State records with 7.1 assists per game and 16 total assists in a game against Coppin State.
“He is a big-time defensive player from college and shares the basketball,” Murphy said. “We have a lot of really good defenders on this team so I think we can be special on that end.”
Baldwin said he was thrilled to be picked by a consistent winning organization like the Magic.
“[Penn State] coach Mike Rhoades preached defense, defense, defense. I will just carry that over here,” Baldwin said. “Everyone wants to score. They feel if you get points you move up. I just want to be different. I take pride in my defense. I want to guard the best player and make them work hard.”
Guard Alex Morales, another elite defensive player enters his third year with the Magic. He led Osceola with nearly two steals per game. Fellow guard Javonte Smart, a key reserve last year, also returns.
“We have a lot of big guards and big wings, and our defense will be stronger than it’s been in the past,” Morales said of the new defensive-minded roster. “The difference for this year is we have very willing defenders and long tough guards that are going to get down and battle.”
The road back to the finals starts Friday night at 7 p.m. The Saturday night game is Puerto Rican Heritage Night.
