Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Lineups and rotations

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Nikola Vucevic, Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic, Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

Oct 29, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) dribbles the ball between Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Elfrid Payton (4) during the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

If you had to make a lineup change, what change would you make?

Rossman-Reich: I would have replaced Elfrid Payton with D.J. Augustin. The Orlando Magic desperately need shooting. And Payton has been far too inconsistent — particularly on defense. The Magic are undoubtedly better when Payton plays well. But using Frank Vogel’s logic of trying to add veteran balance to the roster, Augustin would have been my bet. In actuality, I think it is closer to time to start Bismack Biyombo over Nikola Vucevic. But the team’s need for offense right now probably means Vucevic should remain a starter.

Jumani: The ideal situation would have been moving Nikola Vucevic to the bench for Bismack Biyombo. Vucevic’s game really took off last year when he came off the bench for three games after suffering a groin injury that sidelined him for 13 games, Vucevic averaged 23.7 points on 68.1 percent shooting off the bench. He brings instant offense off the bench, which is exactly what the Orlando Magic need. Vucevic would be able to showcase his post presence against other team’s reserves.

Doyle: Elfrid Payton to the bench. Sorry, how many other teams in the NBA have a shooting guard who cannot hit an outside jump shot? A handful? The Orlando Magic are the worst team in the league at putting the ball in the basket so moving Payton to the bench and allowing a sharpshooter like D.J. Augustin into the starting lineup would be a great idea. I know Nikola Vucevic has been struggling, but if Bismack Biyombo and Elfrid Payton are on the floor at the same time? Yikes.

Iwanowski: Everyone else has mentioned the moves I would make. Bismack Biyombo brings what modern centers should bring, and he could help solidify the team’s defense. D.J. Augustin could help offensively and add shooting to a starting lineup that struggles offensively. If just one move, I would go with rewarding the big man for his consistent effort and toughness.

Jelcic: Definitely D.J. Augustin to start over Elfrid Payton. Augustin has proved to be one of the rare offensive weapons of the Orlando Magic so far. This team needs every bit of offense they can get and Augustin is a clear upgrade in that regard. It is nothing the Magic fans did not already know. Payton is a young player and needs to improve his shooting. He is shooting 21 percent from deep and other teams are using this.

Grullon: I would have replaced Elfrid Payton with D.J. Augustin. I have been preaching for this since preseason, but I do not think this change will happen any time soon. Payton is seen as the Magic’s point guard of the future, so they will have to give him as many chances as possible. But Augustin has done a great job so far this season. And it seems like he is a much better fit with the starting lineup. Augustin moves the ball better and is more aggressive on the offensive end, which allows Evan Fournier, Serge Ibaka, Jeff Green and Nikola Vucevic to get more open looks. Payton has been wildly inconsistent on both ends of the floor this season, so based on his inconsistency I would have replaced him in the lineup and given Augustin a chance.

Palmer: I actually wrote an entire column on this so I will just say for more detailed thoughts check that out. The bare bones: Nikola Vucevic needs to sit in favor of Bismack Biyombo and Jeff Green needs to sit in favor of Mario Hezonja. The Magic need better balance in the starting lineup.