Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 9: Find your role

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This was the big question before the Magic went ahead and re-signed Tobias Harris to a contract averaging out to $16 million per year. This might still be a question fans have about Harris.

Harris just does not fit the eye for a lot of people. He is a scorer, but not an elite one and his other skills have not caught up. That will have to change as he has more expectation and leadership responsibility heaped on him.

For many Magic fans, the plan seemed to have Harris in a supporting role, coming off the bench so that he could be that primary scorer on the second unit. That seemed to be the way to best use him and everyone else on the roster. At least, if you think Victor Oladipo is the top option on the team.

That is another issue for another time.

Dec 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) drives to the basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Amway Center. Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 109-86. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Harris coming off the bench just is not going to work. The numbers bear that out.

In the 2015 season, Harris averaged just 10.8 points per game on 33.9 percent shooting in five games off the bench, compared to 17.4 points per game on 47.4 percent shooting. Minutes were essentially the same for both situations.

His career splits off the bench in his career are: 15.4 points per game, 49.9 percent effective field goal percentage in 142 starts; 8.2 points per game, 54.7 percent effective field goal percentage in 84 games off the bench. That includes a lot of games coming off the bench with Milwaukee. Off the bench with the Magic, Harris has averaged 13.5 points per game on 49.8 percent effective field goal percentage.

He is just simply not as effective off the bench even if it makes sense.

The other issue is you do not pay a guy an average of $16 million to come off the bench. Harris is entrenched as a starter unless his production falls off significantly.

Can that change? Certainly someone could push him off his spot if they earn it. I find it hard to believe at this point that a rookie like Mario Hezonja can overtake a player like Harris in his rookie season. Even at the midpoint, and that goes beyond the money pressure.

The big thing I took away from Summer League and Hezonja’s performance in Summer League was how he still needed to add some strength to compete against NBA players. He was getting pushed around some by the veteran defenders as he tried to drive. He clearly was not in a comfort zone.

That will come as he plays more. But there are going to be moments of frustration in his rookie season as he adjusts. I think it is going to take a full year in a NBA weight training program to get him comfortable with the physicality in the league.

So expect Hezonja only to start when injuries call for it — and even then, Evan Fournier might get the nod.

Next: Fran Vazquez still?!