One thing became clear while Nikola Vucevic was on the shelf: The Orlando Magic can function far better with a defensive-minded big at center.
For all Nikola Vucevic is, he carves out a spot as an average defender at best. The Orlando Magic need more than that if they want to take the next step up in their rebuild.
With Dewayne Dedmon starting, it was clear the defense could be the type to transfer to a playoff contending team — although the Magic’s defense struggled to a 107.4 defensive rating in the last 13 games, only in the last three games did the Magic’s defense turn.
While Dedmon lacks Vucevic’s offensive punch, he showed remarkable consistency in scoring 18 and 15 in back-to-back games against the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets.
In his past five games, Dedmon is averaging 10.6 points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes per night. Dedmon is producing and his offensive game has taken steps forward.
When Dedmon gets rolling defensively and offensively, the Magic can be a dangerous team. With the team posting a mediocre 104.1 defensive rating this season — a number that has fallen since the beginning of the season.
If the Magic were to proceed in looking for a defensive big this offseason, they could salvage the defense on the basis of great help-side play, particularly along the baselines. The Magic have all the components of a top-caliber defense, but all too often Vucevic limited its effectiveness with his mediocre rim protection. This among other reasons the defense struggled throughout the year.
Is Dedmon the answer to Orlando’s problems? Yes and no. He cures an immediate need for defense, but his offensive game is still a work in progress.
Dedmon finishes well and could eventually be the backup version of Tyson Chandler. Elfrid Payton does a magnificent job of setting Dedmon up, and, in time, he could be Orlando’s first big off the bench.
But in a starting role, the Magic just need more.
There will be options this summer to strengthen the big rotation. One name that keeps coming up is the Miami Heat’s Hassan Whiteside. Whiteside leads the NBA in blocked shots at about four per game, nearly untouchably high in this era of the defensive three second call.
Whiteside is not an elite scorer, but he is effective on the blocks and has an old school feel to his game. He is going to draw a max contract and intense interest from general managers this summer. If the Magic could somehow throw the right pitch, landing Whiteside would propel the Magic toward being the type of defensive team Rob Hennigan and Scott Skiles have envisioned.
Another name has been Atlanta Hawks All-Star Al Horford. Horford is a proven commodity, and much like Tim Duncan his lack of explosiveness limits excitement. That is a pity because he is one of the most stable and consistent bigs in the league.
Despite his lack of explosiveness, Horford posts a 2.5 defensive box plus-minus (meaning the Hawks play 2.5 points per 100 possessions better than an average player on defense with Horford on the floor). He also averages 1.5 blocks per game.
Horford is nothing but consistent, even at 29 years old.
Even a riskier signing like the Chicago Bulls’ Joakim Noah represents a chance for the Magic to move forward with a stronger defense on the heels of a true anchor. If Noah returns to full-strength the Magic would then have a high-post passer to feed cutters like Aaron Gordon and Victor Oladipo. That in addition to a 4.5 defensive box plus-minus even in a year where Noah struggled with injuries.
It would be a thing of beauty to acquire the playmaking center that Noah has been. Averaging five assists from the center spot should speak for itself.
Aaron Gordon’s defensive play making from the 4-spot would then be enough to outfit the Magic with the 4/5 combination necessary to thrive.
If Noah is healthy, he has always been a strong defensive player and a leader on the floor that pushes teammates to a new level.
Clearly though, the Magic have some defensive options in free agency to peruse. Each comes with their own flaws in many ways. The question that needs to be asked is whether that is a true upgrade over Vucevic. That will be the decision left to Rob Hennigan.
Vucevic should still hold a lot of value if the Magic were to trade him, too. The fact he is on such a reasonable $12 million per year contract (approximately) makes it all the more likely the Magic could find a suitor.
The hope, of course, would be that with Vucevic and some sweetener the Magic could land a player like Chicago’s Jimmy Butler. Regardless of how the Magic handle things, the need for an anchor to the defense is just too strong to ignore.
The Magic will most certainly throw their lot in on a number of free agents, but the ones that fill needs should still be top priority.
Next: Orlando Magic injuries give end of the bench an opportunity
The Magic have been searching for answers in the frontcourt and the only way it can really be addressed is through free agency.