2017 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Evan Fournier

Overall Outlook

The Orlando Magic went into this summer knowing they had to be prepared to make a long-term investment in one of their two shooting guards. They put their money on Evan Fournier.

It was certainly a difficult decision. Victor Oladipo still has more star power than Evan Fournier. Oladipo has the better chance of making an All-Star Team at some point in his career. For this Magic team though, the Magic valued something else.

Fournier is a great glue guy. He can fit into offense without being the center of it. And that makes Fournier valuable.

It is hard to say whether Fournier can take a step up in scoring. The way he fit into the Scott Skiles offense and burst through with last year’s team was just about perfect. He found a good groove and kept at it, even though he played out of position. That same support system with his teammates is not there. The Magic will have to find a new formula to get Fournier going offensively.

But Fournier can still help the team significantly even if his scoring goes down slightly. He is one of the few true shooters in the lineup and that will help the Magic immensely. He does not force drives and can take advantage of whatever the defense gives him.

This is still a valuable skill.

And having Fournier move back to his natural position should help him be more effective for his team, even if his speed advantage at the 3 goes away.

There are plenty of questions as to whether Fournier can duplicate his success next year. And there are plenty of questions as to whether he can stick defensively with quicker 2s — there is some evidence he can, but his offensive sacrifices are equally as big based on last year’s lineup data.

Next: 2017 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: D.J. Augustin

Fournier will be critical to what the Magic do offensively one way or another.