Osceola Magic fans heading to Silver Spurs Arena on Sunday November 8 at 3 p.m. for the home opener against the Oklahoma City Blue will see many changes. General Manager Kevin Tiller has revamped the team as the Magic, the Eastern Conference No. 1 seed every year they’ve played in Kissimmee, seeks their first NBA G League Championship since the 2021.
This year’s roster has players with a combined 528 games of NBA experience.
“With the G League every year is different,” Tiller said. “Guys will decide they want to go overseas or go to other G League opportunities. “We identify a few guys that we think are interesting not only for Osceola, but for Orlando. We try to put together the best combination of good character guys, talented guys, and guys that want to be here.”
The team’s two-way players Colin Castleton, Alex Morales, and Izaiyah Nelson are currently playing with the Orlando Magic, although Nelson is mending an injury.
Last season, Castleton recorded 17.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. Morales averaged 17.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals last season, which were all career highs. Nelson was drafted by Washington Wizards in this year’s NBA draft and then traded to the Magic. He led the University of South Florida to American regular-season and tournament titles and averaged 15.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
“Obviously, Orlando is dealing with some injuries, so the priority is making sure Orlando is equipped with everything they need,” Tiller said. “Nelson’s out, but Alex and Colin are great additions to Orlando, and when they come back, we’ll welcome them. In the meantime, it gives a great opportunity for the guys here to be able to get more minutes and playing time and experience.”
Osceola added three outstanding scorers for the 2026-27 season in J.D. Davison and Malaki Branham. Kevin Knox II, an elite NBA scorer, has not yet shown up for training camp as he is weighting an overseas offer from a Spanish club.
“We have a bunch of guys that are close, seem to like each other, and they know how to play,” new Osceola Magic Coach Ronnie Burrell said of having so many offensive weapons and only one basketball. “Our offensive style is based on unselfishness, sharing the ball, screening for each other, and running to spaces. It’s the same way that the Orlando Magic play.”
If Knox plays for the Magic, he will bring a dynamic scorer who is an NBA veteran. He averaged who averaged 22.7 points and 8.4 rebounds a game with the Windy City Bulls last season. In seven years, the forward has played with six NBA franchises.
“We love Kevin and obviously we think he’s a great basketball player,” Tiller who added Knox must make the best situation for his family. “In the meantime, our focus is on the guys that are here, that are in the gym now, that are competing. We got some young guys, I think, that can take the next step.”
One of those guys is Davison, who won the 202425 G League MVP award with the Maine Celtics. The last two years between the Maine Celtics and Rio Grande Valley Vipers he has averaged around 25 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Davidson, who played for two NBA team, said his goal is to make it back to the NBA.
Branham played for the San Antonio Spurs, where he was a starter for 61 games, and Washington. The guard has averaged 8 points during his NBA career. He averaged 20.3 points and 4.6 assists per game for the Cleveland Charge last season. Branham describes himself as a threelevel scorer.
“I can get to the rim, I can get to the middle, and I can shoot the three ball,” Branham said. “I also can create for others. But I’m a selfish basketball player. I put the ball in the basket.”
The Osceola Magic selected Kasean Pryor from the University of Louisville as the third pick of this year’s G League Draft, and Emmitt Matthews Jr., from the University of Washington was the 32nd overall choice. Tiller feels both can contribute this season in the backcourt.
Last season the Osceola Magic were known as a defensive team that could score. This year’s version looks to be an offensive powerhouse, despite Burrell’s plan to emphasize defense in training camp.
“Everyone has to play both ends,” Burrell said. “This is not like football.”
“The thing that I want everyone to understand is that we don’t only defend when we’re playing good offense. We defend whether it’s going our way offensively or not. Defense is our catalyst, and we have enough talent, enough scorers, and enough offensive minded players, but I don’t have to worry about that end as much.”
Davison remembers coming to Silver Spurs Arena when he was with the Maine Celtics battling Mac McClung. He remembers the strong fan base.
“The fans are there supporting their team all the time,” Davison said of the loud crowds. “They were sometimes talking smack, but it is a good environment.”
Starting next Sunday, he is hoping to hear those fans rooting for him and his teammates. Tickets are still available for the home opener.
