The Departed
The Orlando Magic shuffled through some players on the roster throughout the year.
Serge Ibaka is the obvious one. Ibaka was a good experiment to run, but could not help guide the team to another level. The Magic trusted him with a larger role and he produced statistically in it. But he was not someone who helped make others better.
Most disappointingly, this did not occur on the defensive end. Ibaka seemed to pick his spots when to attack and play aggressively. That is what he has done defensively it would seem for several years as his defensive numbers declined.
When he did bring that intensity, he was a terror defensively still. And the Magic were better for it. But to be the best player on a team, the star player has to set the tone. And Ibaka did not really set the tone well for the team.
Other players who left the team throughout the season were more victim of a lack of opportunity. Anthony Brown and C.J. Wilcox never could seem to get their seasons off the ground. There were few chances for these players to hit the floor.
2016-17 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: C.J. Wilcox
The Orlando Magic acquired C.J. Wilcox hoping to add some shooting and give a young player a big opportunity. Injuries and poor play kept Wilcox down.
Orlando Magic 2016-17 Player Evaluations: Arinze Onuaku
Arinze Onuaku was a surprise addition to the Orlando Magic roster after the preseason. He earned his spot but also was inevitably going to be a January cut.
2016-17 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Anthony Brown
The Orlando Magic tried to sign one of the D-League's leading scorers to a 10-day contract in January. They never really gave Anthony Brown a chance.