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Orlando Magic fantasy basketball preview with Locked on Fantasy Basketball

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 23, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) steals the ball from Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) with lees then 2 seconds left during the fourth quarter at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Houston Rockets 104-101. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) steals the ball from Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) with lees then 2 seconds left during the fourth quarter at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Houston Rockets 104-101. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic had a summer of change and focus on the defensive end. That may change much of their fantasy outlook as everyone pieces the team together.

The Orlando Magic had one of the more confusing offseasons in the NBA. At least for many people.

The goal was relatively simple for the Magic. They want to make the Playoffs. Almost at any cost. Thus the major changes this year.

Projecting and predicting how the Magic are going to play is almost impossible with all the different players coming in and the players expected to step up. The fits are not exactly clear either. Frank Vogel will have a versatile roster to play with, but excuse anyone for having questions about how it will work.

Those questions only get more pointed and interesting when looking through a fantasy basketball perspective.

Already, the Magic are not expected to have a strong offense. Someone will have to score — whether it is Serge Ibaka taking up a larger role on offense or Aaron Gordon taking a monumental leap — those stats will get filled. And figuring out which Magic players to draft to your fantasy teams is going going to be a big puzzle.

Orlando might be a better team overall from their 35 wins, but they are a difficult team to do too much projections statistically other than that someone has to do the scoring.

With that fantasy focus in mind, I joined Josh Lloyd on the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast to preview the Magic’s season:

Throughout the podcast we hit every player on the Magic roster and the big questions about the team and how they might affect fantasy status.

Certainly there will be some cannibalizing when it comes to the front court logjam and Nikola Vucevic’s future with Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo’s arrival. Certainly Aaron Gordon will have to prove he can take on a larger role. As will Evan Fournier, oddly rated low in many fantasy circles and rankings this season. And certainly there are questions about where Elfrid Payton — and his ability to fill a stat sheet goes from here.

The Magic’s offseason moves were about adding defense and creating an identity that fantasy basketball does not necessarily capture. So that will make projecting who to take from the Magic that much more difficult.

It will be interesting to see who steps in and steps up this year.

It could be Aaron Gordon becoming the stat-sheet stuffer as a versatile forward who can rebound and score. Nikola Vucevic could boost his scoring with someone needing to take the scoring load. It could be Evan Fournier copying last year’s success. Or it could be Elfrid Payton filling up a stat sheet.

The Magic are certainly intriguing for fantasy owners, if not hard to predict.

Next: Serge Ibaka-Victor Oladipo trade a win-win

Be sure to follow Locked On Fantasy Basketball for all your fantasy basketball needs this year. You can download the podcast on iTunes and AudioBoom. Also be sure to subscribe to Locked On Magic, your daily podcast on the Orlando Magic from Orlando Magic Daily. You can subscribe on iTunes and AudioBoom.