Orlando Magic Week 11 Takeaways: Still rough around the edges
By Zach Palmer
What I learned this week about the Magic is that some minor roster tweaks would benefit this team in a major way.
With the absence of starting point guard Elfrid Payton and his backup C.J. Watson, Orlando was forced to turn to Victor Oladipo as the starting point guard. While Oladipo has done an admirable job manning the spot, and seemingly has discovered his 3-point stroke, he just does not fully grasp the nuances of the point guard position.
The Magic are taking too long to get into their offensive sets, passes are not crisp, and Oladipo just does not have the vision Payton or Watson have to create shots for teammates.
Shabazz Napier has been Orlando’s backup point guard in this stretch and that has worked out miserably. Napier has shot poorly from distance and consistently has made head-scratching decisions with the ball.
The Magic are in desperate need of another NBA-caliber point guard. Ten-day contracts became an option this week, and Orlando could look at bringing up Keith Appling from Erie, but how much more effective would he be than Napier? Appling has not played much in the NBA and was not able to beat out Devyn Marble for a roster spot.
Another option for the Magic would be to make a trade for a point guard.
As of now, the trade pieces I could see Orlando parting with would be Channing Frye or Andrew Nicholson. Both are stretch-4s, and they both cannot get optimal minutes with Aaron Gordon beginning to take minutes at the power forward spot.
If there is a time to make a move this season it is now. The Magic have no idea when C.J. Watson is going to come back and, if either Watson or Elfrid go down for an extended period again, the Magic cannot be left with Oladipo or Napier.
If that happens, Orlando can kiss any chance at the playoffs goodbye.
Next: Missing Elfrid Payton