Who should be in the Orlando Magic’s core?
Rossman-Reich: This is probably the biggest question. And the small answer is the Magic really do not have a clear core. They do not have a player they can honestly feature. Aaron Gordon is the closest thing to that, but he has some clear flaws the team has to account for in some way. Nikola Vucevic has been OK but has flaws too. The Magic need to pick some players to move forward with — Gordon definitely, everyone else maybe — and begin building around them. But nothing should feel off limits.
Iwanowski: The only player I would say they have to build around is Aaron Gordon. I can see Terrence Ross becoming a key player for this team, and Evan Fournier is a solid asset as well. But no one strikes me as someone they have to build around. That is concerning, as the Magic appear to have the second-least desirable roster going forward behind the Brooklyn Nets. And not much end in sight for this rebuild. Hopefully, they strike gold in the draft and add another core member.
Grullon: The only player the Magic should be building around is Aaron Gordon. Gordon is the only player on the roster who has the potential to turn into an All Star in the near future. The key is going to be for the Magic to develop Gordon properly and to use him consistently in a position where he can succeed. The other player I would consider a part of the core now is the newcomer, Terrence Ross. Building around Gordon and Ross will allow the Magic to be fun to watch every night by putting those two guys on the floor together and they are both young enough to potentially develop into something special.
McMillan: When I think of a core, I think about chemistry. The Orlando Magic have their core in four players: Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton. Nikola Vucevic is the Magic’s most consistent contributor on offense. He is great in the post and has great vision to make the right pass to open teammates. Vucevic also has the range to step out to the perimeter and open up driving lanes for Elfrid Payton. Fournier and Vucevic have worked well in pick-and-pop situations. Payton and Gordon work the best in transition. While none of these guys are All Stars, Vucevic has been the closest. His major knock has been his defensive effort/presence, but that has improved this season. These four guys have been together for three years and have developed some chemistry. Their strengths on the offensive end complement each other well, they just have to be more consistent. All of them are relatively young — Gordon 21, Payton 22, Fournier 24 and Vucevic 26. Vucevic has pretty much found his game, Fournier is still getting better and Gordon and Payton have yet to reach their potential. These guys have grown together and know each other’s tendencies and how to get the best out of one another. The Orlando Magic should roll with this “core” even if a couple pieces come off the bench.
Jumani: The Magic’s core should consist of Payton, Gordon, Hezonja, Ross and Vucevic. Everyone else should be looked to be dealt, including Fournier. I have not been that high on Fournier, he is a one-dimensional player who often does not try to play defense. Gordon should be looked as the centerpiece of the franchise, for now. He has shown glimpses of stardom throughout the season. Hezonja, given an extended run, has shown he can be a long-term rotational player for the Magic. Unfortunately, Vogel has not done that, which has vastly stunted Hezonja’s growth from last season. Ross, a newcomer should be Fournier’s replacement. And Fournier should be looked to be dealt this offseason, hopefully. Payton would be great off the bench. He attacks the basket and creates for other. Vucevic has shown this season he can be a great all-around two-way player. That should who the Magic should consider their “core.”