For those following the Orlando Magic this offseason, you’d notice the biggest moves they’ve made have been in the boardroom rather than in the free agency market signing key players and contributors to lucrative extensions investing in the team’s chemistry. This made the preseason campaign that concluded Friday night hosting the Philadelphia 76ers in a 114-99 win more about polishing the existing relationships while assimilating the few new pieces they brought into the fold. Most of these newer pieces are ones the franchise developed last year as a young team finishing the Magic’s best season since 2011.

Head Coach Jamal Mosley mentioned that maintaining this core of players is the key to their potential success, When asked what makes his squad unique he said, “Our level of communication. For us, the more we communicate on all fronts is going to be good for this group.” That communication is based in familiarity among these teammates who have played for a least a full season together and, in many cases, beyond.

The central trio of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jaylen Suggs opened the game as part of the presumed regular-season starting five along with veterans Wendell Carter Jr and the newly acquired Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Magic fans were overjoyed to see Carter show his recovery from an ankle sprain complete with an exclamation point by way of a hard dunk for the team’s first field goal. Carter finished with 10 points and seven points at the center spot.

Coach Mosley also addressed KCP’s assimilation into the team as a player with champion experience with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver. When asked about his presence on the team as the only experienced free agent the team signed, he said, “He’s been consistent, he’s been vocal, he’s been leading these guys in a great direction.” The Magic’s newest starter seems to have found his role early as he had two assists within the Magic’s first three field goals as well as the team’s opening three-pointer.

Top performers in the contest for the Magic featured Banchero with delivered 21 points and six rebounds with three assists while hitting for of his five free throws. Suggs scored 12 points with seven assists and four rebounds hitting six of his seven free throws. The starters sat after the first 40 minutes to give the reserve some tune-up time.

Among the second string,  Jett Howard stood out as the only one in that group with double digits with 11 points connected on three of six from three with two assists in nearly 17 minutes of play. This is the fruition of the efforts Howard put in the gym during the offseason.

Howard commented on the work he’s put in and how it has shown up in his game so far. “. . . Just catching up with the group. I feel like that’s what  motivated me the most.” He continued, “Tonight I would say my energy definitely  still could have been better, but it’s a work in progress — I’m still in the gym ”

Obviously, all of these factors have to be taken in with the qualifier that the Sixers were without stars Joel Embid and Paul George. Nonetheless with the starting five healthy and clicking, the lion’s share of questions heading into their season opener in Miami against the Heat on Wednesday seem to have positive answers. But there are still others that will be better answered as the season gets underway. Will Jonathan Issac stay healthy enough to contribute throughout the season? Will Jett Howard or Anthony Black upgrade the roles held by Joe Ingles and Markelle Fultz last season? Will Banchero and Wagner hit another level in production as emerging leaders in Orlando to go further in the NBA Playoffs?

The stage is set for the drama to begin Wednesday night.