The leader should be . . .
Offseason acquisitions and player development have left the Magic in a bit of a logjam over who should be leading the team.
Should the Magic turn to veterans for help?
Should the Magic turn back time and look to the young talents to lead the team?
With the amount of talent the Magic have on the roster, Aaron Gordon may be the best option to lead the way.
Once Gordon is finally cemented into a NBA position whether that is on the wing or in the paint, he will begin to show the consistency that Frank Vogel demands of his players.
A leader’s consistency. A face-of-the-franchise type of consistency.
Gordon continues to improve statistically each year and it seems he will continue that trend into the next few seasons.
Orlando would be wise to avoid allowing Gordon to hit free agency and clearly establish with him that they view him as a fixture in Orlando and want him around for his prime years to come. Being the leader of a team — albeit a losing team at the moment — clearly indicates the trust in him and could further boost his productivity.
If Vogel is the long-term solution as head coach, then he will need a player capable of helping him establish what Orlando needs to be. Whether it turns out to be Elfrid Payton, Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo, Aaron Gordon or someone else, the team will need someone.
Next: Aaron Gordon is the Orlando Magic's future...and soon, its present
A team without a leader is a lost team. At the moment, the Magic are lost. The Orlando Magic need a leader.