Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 9: Find your role

Now we are getting into some roles here. We did a whole staff series looking at who will be the Magic’s starting lineup. That does not seem perfectly set yet.

If we want to boil this question down though, the best bet for the “Sixth Man” role is going to be Evan Fournier or Mario Hezonja.

A lot of people are understandably excited about Hezonja’s arrival in Orlando. A lot of people see and expect a lot from him at some point. Even after the Magic signed Tobias Harris to a contract averaging $16 million per year, many commenters on this site are suggesting Harris is going to get moved out the moment Hezonja is ready to play.

A lot of that needs to slow down some. Hezonja has not played a NBA game yet. He still has a ways to go before he displaces anybody.

But I guess he can become a potential sixth man this year too. If he develops quicker than anticipated for sure.

I still tend to believe Fournier will be the Magic’s sixth man this year. I think we all kind of forget how good he was when he was healthy.

Fournier played in only 58 games and averaged 12.0 points per game on 44.0 percent shooting. Statistically it is not so great. But the spacing on the floor was so much better. And Fournier’s ability to attack the basket off the dribble and pass is also something no one on the team had last year.

Adding in C.J. Watson to the second unit is also going to help as he can do many of the things Fournier can do. Fournier though right now is probably the most advanced and provides the most immediate potential coming off the bench.

To answer the question by playing both sides of the fence — the Magic’s second unit is significantly better this year than it is last year because of Watson, Fournier and Hezonja. I think all three will have their moments where they take on that sixth man role and step into prominent scoring roles. There will be games where one of those three finish over someone who starts.

Next: Victor Oladipo at point guard?