Question: The 1996–97 NBA season was the Magic's which ordinal number season, in the National Basketball Association, after losing Shaquille O'Neal via free agency to the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason, the Magic signed free agent Gerald Bernard Wilkins, a retired American professional basketball player?
Sentence (from "1996–97 Orlando Magic season"): The 1996–97 NBA season was the Magic's eighth season in the National Basketball Association.
Relevant evidence: Yes