Orlando Magic Roster 2019 Magic Roster

The Orlando Magic have been down one too many rabbit holes in the past several seasons in an effort to return to contention. Players such as Elfrid Payton, who had been drafted as difference makers, have already been sent packing. Yet, the Magic continuously find themselves in the draft lottery time and again with no big free agents coming to town. At the same time, the Magic have watched players who they have given up on, like Victor Oladipo, flourish elsewhere. The Magic have drafted well recently, but now time will tell if they will have the patience to develop those players. Orlando has chosen to build around Aaron Gordon after locking him up to a contract extension. The Magic have brought in Steve Clifford to coach the team. Clifford had some success in reviving the Charlotte Hornets, and the Magic are hoping for similar results for this coaching stint.

Orlando Magic Roster Top 3 Questions

Orlando is part of the bad teams stay bad club. After whiffing on numerous big names in the draft over the last few seasons, Orlando is looking at more of the same. Mario Hezonja has yet to surpass

Evan Fournier on the depth chart, but has started for any injured front court member. Elfrid Payton was shipped off to Phoenix, which was another failed draft pick. It is too early to tell on Aaron Gordon, but he is an athletic forward slowly progressing in his career. Gordon has had some injuries which is a concern. Nikola Vucevic is a productive offensive center, but lacks on the defensive side. It is surprising that he is still in Orlando, and will be on the block for the upcoming season Bismack Biyombo filled in nicely when Vucevic was injured, but his best abilities are rebounding and blocked shots. With no point guard in play for next year, it will be interesting to see what happens.

Can the Magic Play Stretch Ball?

The Magic have doubled and tripled down on the trend towards stretch fours in the NBA. The past two draft picks have been a part of the team's movement towards height and versatility. Jonathan Isaac played limited minutes as a rookie last season due to injuries, but promises to play a larger role this season. The Magic drafted Mo Bamba in the offseason. There is a large potential range of outcomes for Bamba, who impressed in the preseason. Bamba will likely be eased into action as a rookie with the Magic picking the appropriate spots for him. By the time the all-star break rolls around, the Magic will likely be giving Isaac and Bamba more prominent roles.

Can Jerian Grant Become the Starter?

The backcourt is where the bulk of the Magic's bad decisions have been made. Oladipo is a star in Indiana. In addition, the Magic have cut bait on Payton and Mario Hezonja. In the NBA, teams simply cannot afford to miss when drafting fifth overall like the Magic did with Hezonja. Orlando did get Jerian Grant as part of a swap of bad contracts, and Grant has been an intriguing player in his three seasons in the NBA who has not gotten a full chance to start. D.J. Augustin is decent, but nothing more than that. Augustin is 30 years old with limited upside and Grant hopes to force a decision at some time this season.

Can Aaron Gordon Continue to Grow?

Gordon is fresh off of an $80 million contract extension. Gordon increased his scoring to over 17 points per game last season after improving his outside shooting. The Magic are giving Gordon superstar money, and Gordon will need to earn it. Gordon began last season on a torrid hot shooting streak before tailing off later in the season. While that hot streak is difficult to sustain, Gordon must be closer to that player than to the payer he was when he went into a slump later in the season. Having Bamba and Isaac up to speed can take some of the pressure off of Gordon.