Orlando Magic must use Evan Fournier’s versatility effectively

The Orlando Magic got a lot out of Evan Fournier last season in his breakout year. With tons of versatility, the Magic must use him effectively again.

In the middle of March, Evan Fournier was seeing the physical toll of playing out of position. He had to battle LeBron James, Marvin Williams, Jae Crowder and former teammate Tobias Harris. All these players bring different challenges, but they had one big distinction — they were bigger.

Fournier is listed at 6-foot-7, 205 pounds. That is vastly different than many of those players — James is 6-foot-8, 250 pounds; Williams is at 6-foot-9, 237 pounds; Crowder is at 6-foot-6, 235 pounds; and Harris is at 6-foot-9, 235 pounds.

Those extra 30 pounds and a few extra inches can take their toll. Yet, with the way the Magic’s roster was constructed last year, Fournier was the one getting that call night in and night out. Having to find a way to get past players who had a clear height and weight advantage over him on offense and defense was part of the challenge of Fournier’s breakout season.

He embraced the challenge and was better for it. His scoring went up to 15.4 points per game and he shot a very efficient 54.6 percent effective field goal percentage. Something clicked with him at the position.

Fournier said during the season there was not much difference offensively at small forward. The bigger wings have trouble chasing him around as he comes off screens. The big adjustment came on the defensive end — physically fighting with a bigger player down low at the 3. Fournier said he would probably work on getting stronger, but not necessarily getting bigger so he can keep his mobility.

None of that may matter now that Victor Oladipo is gone and the Magic are likely to use Fournier at the 2.

His versatility to play both positions though is not something the Magic will overlook though. Even if he is nominally the shooting guard next to (likely) Aaron Gordon, he will still see some minutes at the 3 in lineups with Mario Hezonja or even Jodie Meeks or C.J. Wilcox.

It seems pretty certain Fournier can succeed at least offensively on that end.

Last year, according to Basketball-Reference, Fournier had a near 50-50 split between shooting guard and small forward (51 percent at shooting guard and 47 percent at small forward). His production at each position though revealed something else entirely.

At small forward, according to 82Games.com, Fournier had a 103.3 offensive rating with a 16.6 PER. At shooting guard, those numbers were a 98.1 offensive rating and a 13.8 PER. The defense though told a bigger story. According to 82Games.com, the Magic had a 109.6 defensive rating with Fournier at small forward and a 99.3 defensive rating with him at shooting guard.

Fournier performed better individually on offense at small forward, but the Magic’s defense suffered for it. That was seen when the Magic moved Oladipo to the bench in December. Fournier’s numbers slipped, but the Magic’s overall play improved.

It is part of the big contradiction and one of the real questions about Fournier entering this season. He and the Magic played significantly better when Fournier was paired with Victor Oladipo as opposed to without him.

According to NBAWowy.com, the Magic had a 106.1 offensive rating and 110.1 defensive rating with Oladipo and Fournier on the floor together. The Magic had a 106.1 offensive rating and a 108.3 defensive rating with Fournier on the floor without Oladipo.

These numbers are based on last year’s team and the Magic clearly believe they have improved the defense enough to make up these differences.

Fournier though will play with some new pressure too. His new contract will demand he step up his scoring even more. The Magic’s offense and the way it is constructed may demand Fournier do more — he had a relatively meager 20.1 percent usage rate last season.

The question for the Magic then is how to most effectively use Fournier. It is clear he struggles mightily defensively against the bigger small forwards. But he was more effective offensively — and the Magic at least neutral — when he played with another ball-dominating guard like Victor Oladipo.

Could Elfrid Payton step up and take some of that creation role Oladipo left vacant? Can Aaron Gordon? Will the threat of shooting big men like Serge Ibaka and Nikola Vucevic free up space for Fournier to attack, collapsing the defense and giving Fournier the space to attack?

The Magic have a lot of questions to answer on the offensive end. How best to get the most out of Fournier will be part of it. He clearly took advantage of slower small forwards on the offensive end and more than held his own on the defensive end at shooting guard.

His ability to switch and guard almost any player on the perimeter will be another key facet to this Magic defense. There will be a lot of switching and the fact Fournier can play both perimeter positions will be a major plus for him this season.

Fournier seems to fit the profile of player the Magic like. He has positional versatility and can move all around the court, playing and defending multiple positions. He is not likely a full-time small forward as the Magic played him last year, but he is more than capable of filling that role.

The question with Fournier is what can he do without a ball-dominating guard next to him to help loosen the defense. Fournier is not considered a player who is fantastic at creating his own shot.

Orlando will have to work around this in creating an offense. Fournier will need some help setting himself up unless he has made significant growth this offseason.

Next: Best and worst case scenarios for Orlando Magic in 2017

The Magic will have to find a way to use Fournier’s versatility effective to get the most out of their new investment. And get the most out of their team. It certainly seems like Fournier will find a way to fit in. The trick will be finding a way to help him shine.