This offseason has been quite a whirlwind for the Orlando Magic. From hiring a new coach to trading a major asset, the Magic will be a different team.
After one week of free agency, the Orlando Magic roster has seen some significant changes. Of the 14 players who ended the season with the Magic only seven are currently on the roster. As general manager, Rob Hennigan has stated more than a few times, Orlando planned to be aggressive this summer.
And certainly they have.
With the acquisition of Frank Vogel, the Magic look to change their identity. The additions of Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo and Jeff Green will most certainly make Orlando a force on the defensive end.
Guards Jodie Meeks and D.J. Augustin will look to play some solid minutes and contribute on the offensive end.
While the Orlando Magic have done a good job so far this summer, there are still a few holes that need to be plugged. There are currently 13 players on the roster with two possible spots open. To stay aggressive Hennigan might have another move or two up his sleeve before training camp starts.
For now, let’s take a look at the roster as it currently stands.
Next: Point Guards
Point Guards
Elfrid Payton, D.J. Augustin, C.J. Watson
Orlando is going into this season with tremendous point guard depth.
Elfrid Payton is the clear-cut starter after Brandon Jennings was not re-signed. Payton is great on the defensive end and thrives when he can get into the paint and distribute the ball. Both C.J. Watson and D.J. Augustin will provide stable veteran mentors for Payton to learn from without the threat of losing his job.
Augustin is a good shooter from long range, hitting 40 percent of his shots last season. His addition will add not only scoring off the bench, but also a reliable option in case of injury.
When C.J. Watson missed the majority of last season with an injury, the Magic were forced to get creative with their lineup to find replacements. The position took another hit as Payton also missed time during a stretch due to injury.
The Magic have a balanced set of point guards who can be used to change the dynamic on the court. The starting job belongs to Payton, and he should flourish under Vogel’s up-tempo offensive. Reserves, Augustin and Watson will provide more of a scoring threat on the perimeter and could play on the floor together in certain situations.
Next: Shooting Guards
Shooting Guards
Evan Fournier, Mario Hezonja, Jodie Meeks
Other than the point guard spot, shooting guard is the only position with a clear starting option.
Evan Fournier signed an extension with the Magic this summer and will likely return to his natural position. Last season, Fournier spent some time playing small forward while Victor Oladipo occupied the shooting guard spot. With Oladipo in Oklahoma City as part of that draft night trade, Fournier should see his production increase as he moves back to shooting guard playing against players his size.
The move will help his defensive efficiency as Fournier will no longer be taken to the post by a bigger small forwards.
Backing up Fournier are Mario Hezonja and Jodie Meeks.
Both Meeks and Hezonja are touted for their ability to hit the 3-point shot. While Fournier is a good shooter himself, he was also Orlando’s best finisher at the rim.
Hezonja is expected to improve in his second year after seeing flashes of his potential at the end of the season with more playing time. Meeks is coming off an injury-plagued season and will look to prove he can still be a contributor in the league.
Currently, the bulk of Orlando’s perimeter shooting is at shooting guard.
Fournier took a leap in his progression last year earning him a bigger contract and a bigger role. There is no doubt Fournier will own the starting position. What might be tricky is finding a balance for Hezonja and Meeks.
Hezonja will require more playing time than he received last year to develop his game in the NBA. He has the potential to ultimately challenge Fournier for that starting role if he can put it all together. Meeks can be a streaky shooter from deep, but getting him going would likely cost Hezonja time on the court.
Next: Small Forwards
Small Forwards
Aaron Gordon, Jeff Green, Devyn Marble, Mario Hezonja
The Small Forward position is not the most complicated bunch, but there are some questions.
Aaron Gordon will assume the starting role after ending the season on the upswing. But Gordon primarily played the power forward position during that growth. Gordon has the athleticism and quickness to start at small forward but needs to gain more confidence in his jump shot before he is a solid lock. Gordon hit 29 percent of his shots from 3-point range last season.
Jeff Green was acquired in free agency and has some of the same tools as Gordon. Green would be comfortable coming off the bench, but has seen time as a starter in his career. The conundrum the Magic will encounter is whether to have the even-keeled veteran come off the bench in Green or have the high-energy youngster bring a spark off the bench in Gordon.
Devyn Marble spent time in and out of the D-League last season. His length and defensive tenacity may earn him some minutes in the rotation but not much. Adding to Marble’s possible lack of minutes is the fact Mario Hezonja at 6-foot-8 can also play the small forward position if Orlando wants more shooting on the floor.
Aaron Gordon, being a high flyer with All-Star potential, should hold the starting role for the Magic. With Orlando looking to run more, Gordon will have a highlight break-away dunk in every game. His athleticism and commitment to defense should get him the nod over Jeff Green.
The amount of depth and versatility at this position is a plus for this squad. Not only do the Magic have defensive-minded players who can do a lot of things good, but they can also place Hezonja in that spot to stretch the floor.
Next: Power Forwards
Power Forwards
Serge Ibaka, Aaron Gordon, Jeff Green
Currently, Serge Ibaka is the closest thing to a true power forward on the roster. At 6-foot-10, 245 pounds, Ibaka is big enough to play center and athletic enough to play power forward. Ibaka’s addition to the lineup gives Orlando a solid rim protector on defense that can also stretch the floor on offense.
Ibaka should be a lock for the starting power forward spot. The options behind him are combo forwards Aaron Gordon and Jeff Green. The only lineup that could move Ibaka out of the power forward position is if the Magic elect to go small and place him at center, pairing him perhaps with Gordon in the front court.
The Magic are looking to be more versatile and switch assignments on the defensive end. With Serge Ibaka, Aaron Gordon and Jeff Green being so versatile, it is not impossible to imagine a lineup where all three are on the court together. Each can defend multiple positions and may cause a mismatch on the offensive end depending on the opponent.
Ibaka is the clear starter in a traditional lineup. But the position’s versatility may lean to the Magic having an advantage by playing more than one of them on the floor at the same time.
Next: Centers
Centers
Nikola Vucevic, Bismack Biyombo, Stephen Zimmerman
Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo are opposites at the center position. Both will play a significant role for the Magic this season. Second-round draft pick Stephen Zimmerman will most likely spend the bulk of this season polishing his game and developing his body in the D-League. But, Zimmerman is one of the 13 players currently on the Magic’s roster, although he is yet to sign a contact formally.
Vucevic has an arsenal of post moves along with soft hands and a reliable mid-range jump shot that not many centers in today’s game can match. However, his defensive prowess may give up just as many points as he puts in.
Biyombo, unlike Vucevic, is recognized for his aggressiveness on defense. His willingness to go after any shot in the paint makes opponents think twice before trying to get to the rim. But Biyombo is limited on the offensive end, to say the least.
Vucevic figures to be the starter as his offensive game fits nicely beside Serge Ibaka. Vucevic has the range to step outside the paint and allow the guards to penetrate and create.
Biyombo playing with a good offensive second unit of Augustin, Meeks, Hezonja and Green gives them an anchor to help erase mistakes on defense.
Stephen Zimmerman likely will not add much to the team this year. If the Magic do not add more depth to the front court, Zimmerman might get some garbage time minutes at the end of games. Other than that, he will have a stable future once he gets a little stronger.
Both Vucevic and Biyombo have their positives and negatives that could help in a starting role. Biyombo would give the Magic a tough defensive lineup alongside Ibaka and Gordon in the front court. But Vucevic will bring balance to the starting five with his offensive presence.
Next: What's Missing?
What’s Missing?
The Orlando Magic have filled many of their needs so far this offseason.
All of the new additions come in the form of a veteran that can help groom the young nucleus. The team has gotten better on the defensive side of the ball by adding two of the better shot blockers in the game. Having Ibaka and Biyombo in the paint will deter opponents from driving the lane and also allow the backcourt to take more chances knowing they have help.
Shooting was a need last year, and that may have been resolved with additions of Jodie Meeks and D.J. Augustin. The Magic are also hopeful that Mario Hezonja will contribute more to their perimeter scoring.
With all of the improvement and versatility this roster provides there is only one thing missing, a go-to scorer on the wing. The Magic have been rumored to have an interest in Chicago Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler dating back to last season. There have also been thoughts from fans that Indiana Pacers forward Paul George could land in Orlando because of his relationship with new coach Frank Vogel.
The only way either of these players ends up in Orlando is if the Magic trade some of its assets which could then create holes in other areas.
With the free agent market all but dried up, there are not any great options to pick up as a go-to scorer. The Magic will now look to Evan Fournier to take the next step and be a closer on the perimeter to finish out games.
The Magic though have largely filled out their roster and set an identity on defense with some depth behind their projected starters. There is plenty of positional versatility and combinations for Vogel to try out.
Next: Orlando Magic have plenty of excitement even before free agency
The Magic did plenty of work in free agency and are in position to make their run once training camp opens in October.