Mario Hezonja: The effects of having a pure shooter

What will Hezonja bring that Orlando doesn’t have?

Mario Hezonja only attempted about one free throw per game in Euroleague play, but he also played just 16 minutes per game in a true supporting role.

With just 56 field goal attempts, getting to the line for 24 free throws is not a bad ratio. The Magic will hope he attacks the rim and earns some free throws. His finishing ability is a strength, and NBA defenders will seek to challenge him. The opportunity is wide open for him to exploit big men attempting to make a play.

Hezonja’s skill set shows the mural of a player who could be a dominant wing man in the NBA for a good time to come. It almost seems like getting ahead of things, but the Magic will be a better team with Hezonja on the court. He is the shooter that was needed that Frye could not be.

This drafting addresses the wound that was improperly dressed last offseason.

Teams are going to have to respect his range, and defenses will collapse a lot less when Elfrid Payton penetrates and teams dare him to shoot (and Payton has been working a lot on his jumper, so hopefully this aspect is minimized).

Teams will still try to force Payton into miscues when he penetrates in traffic, but now he has an option on the wing, one that will benefit highly from that penetration.

Next: How will it result in better shots?