Aaron Gordon must find role in new-look Orlando Magic

With several new additions to the frontcourt, the Orlando Magic have an abundance of talent, possibly leaving Aaron Gordon or Nikola Vucevic as odd man out.

During the NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic roster changed in a major way.

Guard Victor Oladipo was sent to Oklahoma City for forward Serge Ibaka. The Magic also added center Bismack Biyombo in free agency. These moves solidified the Orlando front court and turned it into a defensive juggernaut.

The Magic front court’s new identity is one that is based on defense. Strong, smart interior defenders who can protect the rim, something Orlando has been desperate to get for years.

With the additions of Biyombo and Ibaka, the Orlando front court is loaded now and one player is going to have to deal with a reduced role. There are not enough minutes to go around.

There is no debating Serge Ibaka is going to start. Leaving Biyombo, Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon as the other options next to him.

Biyombo is likely to be the starter. He had multiple teams interested in him during free agency that he could have started for. At the moment, Orlando is not a team a player would sacrifice his playing time for, being that they are not a contender yet. The Maigc’s four-year, $72-million investment in him is a sign they are committed to Biyombo in a major way. It is hard to leave the highest paid player on the team on the bench.

This leaves Vucevic and Gordon seemingly the odd men out.

One of these players is going to get major minutes, while the other is not going to see much time at the center or power forward spot. Inevitably, one of these two players should be moved. The question arises, which one?

The answer to this inevitable problem is simple. Do not trade Aaron Gordon. Keep him on the roster unless there is an offer on the table the team cannot refuse.

At the start of the season, Gordon was widely known as a really good athlete who could throw down monstrous dunks. He emerged during the second half of last season.

With an increased role, Gordon showed true potential to be a star. Following last season’s All-Star break, Gordon improved dramatically. He tallied 12.0 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game and he shot 48 percent from the floor. Hardly star numbers, but it always felt like Gordon was just scratching the surface.

Defensively, he played very well and, even though his offensive game has room for improvement, he displayed the skills necessary to become an offensive weapon next season. He will need to extend his range behind the 3-point line and also get to the free-throw line more. Gordon lives above the rim, and he desperately needs to shoot more free throws next year.

After showing signs of improvement on both sides of the ball in 2015, it would be a real risk to trade Gordon. He has the potential to become the go-to guy for Orlando in the near future. There is no reason to trade a player with that kind of upside. Not without giving him a role that could allow him to flourish first.

At the moment, Orlando is desperate for a star. The team has solid pieces at nearly every position, but none that can be relied upon completely. Gordon is the only player who looks like he could develop into that option when the game is on the line.

At only 20 years old, the Magic cannot give up on this investment so early on.

This offseason the Orlando Magic hired head coach Frank Vogel. Known for putting emphasis on the defensive end of the ball, Gordon is just what Vogel wants. With his athleticism and strength,  Gordon can cover multiple positions and cover them well. Many times last season, Gordon was matched up against the opponent’s best player and did a solid job.

With his already stout defensive skills and Vogel leading the way next season, Gordon should remain on this roster. He will play an important role as this team has transitioned into a defensive-minded squad.

In the front court, Biyombo and Ibaka are going to be a great pairing near the basket. The back court is not going to be nearly as good.

Both Elfird Payton and Evan Fournier were mediocre defenders at best last season. Their backups in D.J. Augustin and Mario Hezonja are not great either. Gordon can slide to the wing and help out on the perimeter. His versatility on the defensive end is what Vogel will need.

Gordon can support them in playing small forward. That may be where the Magic go to alleviate this minutes crunch in the front court.

Through free agency, Orlando has changed its identity. Defense is going to be what the team excels at. Gordon fits the mold.

The opposite can be said for Nikola Vucevic, making his fit look a bit different and uncertain.

Vucevic is the other big man in the conversation to be moved.  Moving him makes a lot more sense than Gordon, if the team is going to play Gordon at power forward. Vucevic is a major defensive liability and his presence could potentially hinder Gordon’s development. Gordon needs a solidified role in his third season as he has struggled to get one in his first two years in Central Florida.

In the past two seasons, it has been hard for Gordon to get consistent minutes. A major injury caused him to miss almost half of his rookie season. His second year, he was coming off the bench for the most part, stuck behind several players and struggling to crack Scott Skiles‘ rotation for much of the season.

A point often overlooked when discussing Gordon being traded is general manager Rob Hennigan’s draft record. So far Hennigan has taken Oladipo, Gordon and Hezonja near the top of the draft. Oladipo has already been shipped to Oklahoma City and trading Gordon would be two of the Magic’s supposed franchise pieces in three years.

Getting rid of back-to-back top-five picks in Oladipo (2013) and Gordon (2014) would be a real shame. It shows Hennigan’s draft strategy has been questionable and causes even less stability in a franchise that is desperate for it.

The Magic have some big decisions to make when it comes to Aaron Gordon and his role for the team. His potential has to become realized soon.

Next: Jodie Meeks hoping for fresh start with Orlando Magic

But if the Orlando Magic trade Aaron Gordon, it would be a mistake. Unless the team gets a superstar in return, Orlando will be passing on a future star. The Magic need to be finding a way to keep Gordon involved and a core part of this team.