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Orlando Magic Position-by-Position Outlook

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Feb 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Mario Hezonja (23) react after defeating the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Magic defeated the Hawks 117-110 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Mario Hezonja (23) react after defeating the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Magic defeated the Hawks 117-110 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder, Meyers Leonard, Portland Trail Blazers
Feb 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) drives past Portland Trail Blazers center Meyers Leonard (11) during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Power Forward

For the longest time, Magic fans have lamented lacking a rim-protecting power forward. It was a player the team was missing to help cover up Nikola Vucevic’s shortcomings. The only problem was there were only two or three of them around the league. They were virtual unicorns.

When the opportunity on Draft night came to acquire one of those rare species. The Orlando Magic pounced on the opportunity and gave immediate credence to their defense in the process.

Serge Ibaka gives the Magic an impactful defensive player for the first time since Dwight Howard left and raised expectations for the team by his mere presence.

Ibaka has his flaws for sure — the Magic may end up over relying on his offense that has never quite proven itself. And there are questions whether he can bring his defensive game back up to the insane levels they were at a few years ago. But undoubtedly there is new energy about the team and a more firm and cemented identity with Ibaka in at power forward.

Ibaka has the ability to protect the rim and challenge shots at the rim while also blowing up pick and rolls and defending on the perimeter. His play during the Playoffs was critical to bringing the Thunder one win away from the NBA Finals and upsetting the San Antonio Spurs.

He also can stretch the floor some. But he has never been a high usage player on offense. The Magic may look to increase some of his offensive load this year and make him more central to their offense.

Behind Ibaka, the Magic are likely to use versatile forwards like Aaron Gordon and Jeff Green.

Green was one of the more controversial offseason acquisitions — more for his eye-popping one-year salary than anything else. But Green has proven to be at least a solid player. Especially if a team does not over rely on him.

Green is good for a big game every once in a while and can be overall solid otherwise. There will be games where Green plays well and games where Green disappears. That screams a player coming off the bench, and that appears how the Magic plan to use him.

Gordon too could still see some minutes a power forward, a position many peg him at over small forward. The Magic have some true versatility and ability to play both big and small because of the lineup versatility of their forwards.

If the Magic need anything to complete this roster, it is probably a true power forward to allow for the ultimate lineup versatility and to match up with anyone.