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Breaking down the Orlando Magic’s congested frontcourt

By Ricky Scricca

Feb 3, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) fouls Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) on a shot attempt during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) fouls Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) on a shot attempt during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Chris Paul, Wesley Johnson, Los Angeles Clippers
Feb 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers forward Wesley Johnson (33) and guard Chris Paul (3) during the second quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Aaron Gordon

When Aaron Gordon played power forward last season, he was a better scorer, facilitator and rebounder than he was at any other position. Taking advantage of his athleticism allowed him to blow by slower defenders for easy points and playing close to the basket allowed him to grab rebounds on both ends of the court.

However Frank Vogel said he intends to play him at small forward and have him shoot more threes. That might be cause for concern.

Maybe he will improve, but shooting worse than 30 percent on 3-pointers last season is hardly what one would expect from a small-ball wing. Bringing him away from the basket will prevent him from exploiting mismatches against bulkier big men. The addition of Jeff Green may limit Gordon’s minutes at power forward and force him to play the 3 almost exclusively, where his advantages will turn into necessities and his weaknesses into deficiencies.

Putting Gordon’s physical skills on the wing rather than down low could cause the team to score much less efficiently, earn fewer second-chance points and force fewer possession changes.

But that is the biggest dilemma here. If Vogel does put Gordon at the 4, whom can he take minutes away from?

Adding an aging Jeff Green to the Magic’s roster bungles a lot of the team’s upside. Having to include him in the rotation complicates a lineup where otherwise, just about any combination of the team’s big men could have had real use. It is hard to say what he specifically brings to the team that would not have made them better off investing elsewhere.

Look for the Magic to trade one of these players away during the season. Especially if they really start to struggle.

Moving some dead weight and streamlining the frontcourt could pay huge dividends for the team going forward. It could very easily turn a season around.

Next: Serge Ibaka-Victor Oladipo trade a win-win

The important thing though is the Magic do have options. Options they have to sort out and turn into a reliable rotation, but still a diverse and versatile group. It should allow the Magic to play any way matchups dictate to find some form of success.