Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Maurice Harkless

2016 Outlook

A new coach is going to bring some changes for Maurice Harkless. This is still a very talented player who, by all accounts, wants to work hard and be a great NBA player. He has the physical tools to be good and has shown he can be a major contributor.

A new coach might see that in a way Jacque Vaughn did not or even connect to Harkless in a way that the previous regime could not. It was extremely clear that one way or another, Harkless needed to change his situation.

That does not mean he is not going to have to work for it.

Harkless will have a clean slate and will have to prove himself all over again to the new coaching staff. He is going to have to prove through his skill and hard work that he has a place int he Magic’s new offense and new defensive schemes. It is an incredible opportunity for a player like him.

That means first and foremost, Harkless has to restore confidence in himself. He has to get that 3-point shooting percentage up, drive and cut with confidence and aggression and, most importantly, he has to own the defensive end.

Defense was always where Harkless should have made his money. With how raw he was, his pure athleticism on the defensive end was likely his biggest asset for him to showcase and develop. He never really did that in his first three years. His offense seemed to dictate things — or his being almost completely ignored offensively.

Harkless still has all that potential within him, it is just about unlocking it again.

Maybe 2016 will be the time — a contract can certainly be motivation.

Next: Final Grade