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Aaron Gordon is the best option to adjust the Orlando Magic starting lineup

By Brett David Roberts

Oct 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) and forward Aaron Gordon (00) react on the bench as the Washington Wizards beat the Magic 105-98 at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) and forward Aaron Gordon (00) react on the bench as the Washington Wizards beat the Magic 105-98 at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) brings the ball up court during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) brings the ball up court during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The Magic are not short on options

There are six effective bench players all of whom pose a case as starter worthy.

Perhaps Dedmon is a stretch considering he had not even played in five of the eight games going into the matchup against Cleveland on Saturday. But the rest of these guys could likely start and flourish.

At this point, the most logical substitution would be to move Aaron Gordon into the starting lineup, while also dialing up Hezonja’s minutes dramatically from the bench. This duo are the Magic’s two highest lottery picks of the last couple years, and the Magic need to milk production from them.

The next question is: Who does Gordon supplant in the starting lineup?

Channing Frye has been crucial in spreading the floor and has rediscovered his shooting stroke. Tobias Harris is still Orlando’s most volatile scorer, even if his role has changed this year. Both of these cousins are having great seasons, and the Magic are likely just in a temporary funk.

At this point, not solely for the sake of tinkering by any means, Skiles would be best to insert Gordon at the 3-spot, shifting Harris to the 4 and Frye to a reserve role again.

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This lineup has not played together this year. Gordon and Harris have played 118 minutes together and the Magic have a 95.8 offensive rating and 96.5 defensive rating while they share the floor. There are other factors to consider, but defensively it would seem this pairing at the forward positions would boost the Magic. But no one spreads the floor for this team quite like Channing Frye.

Something seems to indicate the only thing stopping Gordon from blossoming is a sheer lack of playing time. One would presume that with more time on the court — particularly with the starting unit — Gordon would begin to develop a better comfort level.

That would ensure better success on the offensive end, because a lot of his play is predictable. He also over dribbles. But none of his flaws can be corrected while he sits in warmups on the sideline.

That is what makes starting him imperative. It is a low-risk, high-reward move — because Gordon is much the same as a player. The Magic knew on draft night Elfrid Payton was their coveted point guard, which made Gordon seem to be a bit of a reach even at the time.

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But he is not a reach if he plays his best basketball over longer tracts of the game. Gordon simply needs consistent and steady minutes and a defined role—preferably that of a starter.