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2019 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Wesley Iwundu

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 6: Wes Iwundu #25 of the Orlando Magic warms-up before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Amway Center on February 6, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Cavaliers 116 to 98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Wes Iwundu
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 6: Wes Iwundu #25 of the Orlando Magic warms-up before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Amway Center on February 6, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Cavaliers 116 to 98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Wes Iwundu /
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Wesley Iwundu, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks
ORLANDO, FL – APRIL 4: Wesley Iwundu #25 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 4, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Wesley Iwundu showed flashes of his defensive potential throughout his rookie season. But the pressure is already rising for him to improve and make the NBA

Wesley Iwundu never really had a true Welcome to the NBA moment.

Sure, he had a few highlights, a steal that led to a dunk or a cut that a teammate found him on for a jam. There were some hints of his passing ability and potential to be something of a playmaker.

But he scored more than 10 points just three times in his rookie season. And two of them came in blowout losses for the Magic.

A second-year player who appeared in 62 games and started 12 of them should have likely made a bit bigger of an impact.

Iwundu made that impact in his short stint with the G-League. He averaged 15.2 points per game in nine appearances in the G-League for the Lakeland Magic. That should show that he belonged at the NBA level. Or at least was better than what the G-League could offer.

The Magic drafted Iwundu was a versatile defender. They knew from his collegiate career with the Kansas State Wildcats that his offensive game was a work in progress. His development would have to come in the NBA, completing the progress he made later in his career.

The outlook for Iwundu does not feel great though. He struggled mightily in Summer League at the very things the Magic need him to improve upon. He averaged 9.0 points per game on 32 percent shooting.

In one respect, Iwundu was probably asked to do too much. He had the ball in his hands a lot and without good shooters around him, the floor was pretty cramped for him to drive. Oftentimes, it looked like he was forcing the ball into the lane. The role he played in Summer League is not the role he will play in the regular season.

What Iwundu showed in that week in Las Vegas was his defensive ability. He was a terror on that end.

Iwundu looked like the dominant second-year player in Summer League on the defensive end. That was the ultimate NBA skill the Magic drafted him for.

He still has rough edges to smooth out. And he has to prove himself more consistent at the NBA level. But Iwundu is still an intriguing player for the Magic to build around.