ORLANDO –– Continuity is more than just a buzzword for the Orlando Magic’s roster-building philosophy. It’s part of a plan that has been a catalyst for the success of this mostly young team.

“I think our actions validate our intentions,” Jeff Weltman, the Magic’s president of basketball operations, said during media day. “I don’t just talk the talk, I walk the walk.”

That said, Magic – like their competitors – are always looking for improvements. Entering the offseason with money to spend, the Magic invested in free agents Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cory Joseph, drafted Tristan da Silva with the 18th pick, and retained and/or extended many players from last year’s starting lineup.

These additions, however, meant that not everyone could return. Veteran scoring winger Joe Ingles has signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, while defender Markelle Fultz remains unsigned. He is one of the most experienced NBA players who is still without a contract.

“Yeah… I miss him,” guard Cole Anthony said with a sigh when asked about Fultz on Monday. “Markelle is a really great player. Not only a great player, but also a great person. No matter what team he ends up on, automatically (by) adding him to the team, it will become a better team.”

This is one of the unforgiving realities of professional sports. Members of the organization often talk about the team’s chemistry as the Magic matured together. This also translates into victory – and ensures that frontline personnel can replenish their base wherever they see fit.

For Orlando, Fultz has proven to be one of the oddball players this offseason. He was highly appreciated by his teammates, but they also understood the fact that teams and players were drifting apart.

Last summer, Paolo Banchero shared a message on his Instagram commemorating their time together: “I always love you brother, I appreciate you and I’m glad I could lace them up, it’s truly killer,” the message read.

Fultz was once a standout in Washington and the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, but was traded to Orlando after appearing in just 33 games for the 76ers. In his five years with the Magic, he appeared in 201 games, starting 149, and earned a three-year, $50 million extension.

Over five seasons, he averaged 11.6 points, 4.8 assists and 3.4 rebounds. Fultz struggled in the 2023-2024 season, but he faced more injury problems again as the season progressed, playing in just 50 of the Magic’s 89 games during the regular season and playoffs.

Anthony’s fifth year in Orlando will be his first without Fultz by his side in the backcourt. Before last season, the former North Carolina guard admitted that watching Fultz play improved his game.

A year later, Anthony’s face when he talked about Fultz visually reflected how happy he was to have him.

“You know, we’re going to miss him,” Anthony said. “It will certainly be difficult to recreate the Kelli atmosphere. Because he is truly one of a kind.

“I don’t know if we can recreate the Fultz vibe. I think it will have to be some kind of replacement that is on par with Kelle in some way. But man, just his athleticism and the way he can pass the ball and the way he handles himself in the locker room – he’s not going to replace Kelly, man. We will miss him. I wish him all the best, man.

Nevertheless, Anthony believes the Magic can be better this year and is confident he and Fultz will have a chance to go head-to-head.

“When I see him on the opposing court, I will attack,” Anthony said with a smile, “but I will miss him.”

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