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Assessing value on the Orlando Magic roster: Introduction and Role Players

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Nov 6, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic power forward Andrew Nicholson (44) drives to the basket as Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (32) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 98-90. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic power forward Andrew Nicholson (44) drives to the basket as Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (32) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 98-90. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dewayne Dedmon, Orlando Magic, Robert Sacre, Los Angeles Lakers
Jan 9, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) and Los Angeles Lakers center Robert Sacre (50) look for a rebound in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Dewayne Dedmon

Among the Magic’s role players, Dewayne Dedmon is the one who shows the most promise and played the best. Dedmon is still such a blank slate as a basketball player. He has all the athleticism to affect the game defensively, but very little of the control that warrants playing him major minutes.

James Borrego, in his effort to make the Magic a bit more defensive-minded, started Dedmon to end the season alongside Nikola Vucevic. It was successful in making the Magic a much more respectable defensive team, but it was hardly something the Magic want to sustain considering how poor the offense was with them playing together (not to mention what it took away from Vucevic statistically).

Dedmon though remains extremely intriguing. He was signed to a very cap-friendly multi-year deal in the 2014 season. He is essentially playing at the minimum, so any positive production the Magic get from him feels like a bonus.

The fact the Magic have him in their rotation shows they are getting the most out of his value. The question for Dedmon is how much more can he provide?

Ordered by Salary

Player Salary PER $/PER
Mike Muscala 816,482 18.0 45,360.11
Jeff Withey 816,482 17.6 46,391.02
Justin Hamilton (TOT) 816,482 14.6 55,923.42
Dewayne Dedmon 816,482 13.3 61,389.62
Ognjen Kuzmic 816,482 12.9 63,293.18
Grant Jerret (TOT) 816,481 1.5 544,320.67
Hassan Whiteside 769,881 26.2 29,384.77

Ordered by PER

Player Salary PER $/PER
Alex Len 3,649,920 13.5 270,364.44
Miles Plumlee (TOT) 1,169,800 13.4 87,298.51
Tyler Hansbrough 3,326,235 13.3 250,092.86
Dewayne Dedmon 816,482 13.3 61,389.62
Noah Vonleh 2,524,200 13.2 191,227.27
Cory Jefferson 507,336 13.2 38,434.55
Ryan Hollins 1,316,809 13.1 100,519.77

There are several players on minimum contracts who had strong years last year. Dedmon is definitely one of them. He had the third highest PER for a player with his salary. So he was one of the most productive players at his paygrade.

You can see by the second chart, that he was an uncompromising steal for the production he created. He was up there with first round picks in Alex Len and Noah Vonleh and solid reserve centers like Miles Plumlee and Ryan Hollins. They are all of a similar type — athletes still growing into their bodies and abilities while learning the NBA game.

Dedmon is a value player right now.

How much more value could he provide?

According to the regression model (remember, there is a relatively strong linear relationship between), he would expect to produce $63,321.08 $/PER at a 13.3 PER. Dedmon is gaining a bit less than that, so his production seems to be about average. His salary takes a slight uptick this upcoming season.

If Dedmon continues to make even modest improvements, he will continue to be a great value on the Magic. Undoubtedly, he is one of the most productive and best value players on the Magic’s ledger.

Verdict: Bargain

Next: Andrew Nicholson