Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic Top 25: The Nos. 16-20 best players in Orlando Magic history

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Orlando's Steve Francis drives the lane during the second half of the Orlando Magic's 89-81 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando, Florida, Sunday, January 29, 2006. (Photo by Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images)
Orlando's Steve Francis drives the lane during the second half of the Orlando Magic's 89-81 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando, Florida, Sunday, January 29, 2006. (Photo by Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images) /
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Trey Burke, Utah Jazz, Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic
Dec 3, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) dribbles the ball past Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) in the second quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

19. Victor Oladipo (2014-16)

High/Low: 13/22

By Zach Palmer

With the wound still fresh from his departure, Victor Oladipo clocks in as the 19th-best player in Magic history in the Orlando Magic Daily poll.

What I want to focus on here is what could have been with Victor Oladipo though.

After just three seasons with the team, Oladipo was thought highly enough of to make this list. Oladipo averaged 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game with the Magic. Oladipo showed steady improvement with the Magic each season, through coaching and role changes.

Oladipo has not reached his ceiling, and Frank Vogel would have been the best coach that has ever worked with Oladipo.

In his time with the Magic, I do not think I ever saw Oladipo give up during a game. Think about that, a guy who played through 153 losses in three years never gave up on his team.

There were flashes of brilliance, including his shootout with the Thunder during the second game of last season. Or his 45-point game against the Cavaliers.

Oladipo suffered playing on a bad team with non-ideal fits around him and still managed to be an effective player.

But, like all good things, it must come to an end. Unfortunately for Magic fans, we will never find out what could have been with Victor Oladipo. The Magic lost the possibility of a top-5 player in franchise history in Oladipo but will the gain be worth it (Serge Ibaka)?

That is the adventure we are going to have to take together in the coming seasons.

All we have left with Oladipo is what could have been and whether Oladipo could have turned into the star this rebuilding Magic team desperately needed.