Why the Orlando Magic should draft Jayson Tatum
Fit with Aaron Gordon
Jayson Tatum and Aaron Gordon would not be a totally seamless fit, but the possibilities are tantalizing. Both players are similar in some respects, but complement each other in others.
Gordon is an explosive cutter and finisher. Tatum has more ball-handling skills and a better outside stroke. Both can defend multiple positions, allowing them to switch easily between forward positions. Gordon is physically stronger and a better rebounder. Both can score in the post and get down in transition. Tatum can run the pick-and-roll, Gordon can catch lobs.
To get the most out of this combination, Tatum will need to make the most out of his passing upside. There is more there than some believe, even if he is clearly turnover prone.
At 6-foot-8, he can see over the court, which helps with his passing vision. This shines through when he has the ball near the perimeter but outside of his preferred scoring positions. He is no Magic Johnson, but he can skip pass or throw one over the top to Gordon if he breaks free.
He has also shown signs of good passing vision in transition and in the pick-and-roll. In both of those areas, his passing could lead to some highly efficient shots and pretty highlights.
In this video, having Gordon on the receiving end of Tatum’s smart pass would be something to watch.
Same goes for this clip of him running the pick-and-roll.
Tatum likely will not be a lockdown, All-Defense defender, but he can give Gordon breaks from guarding the other team’s best offensive player. and they can certainly switch if they are caught in pick and rolls together or in cross matches in transition.
Having another serviceable wing defender would go a long way for the Magic because not only would it help alleviate rim protection issues, but it would ensure they can always have at least one plus defender on the court.
Rim protection was a big problem for the Magic last year, despite a theoretically solid rotation of defensive bigs. They underperformed, but poor wing defense did not do them any favors. Adding Tatum to that rotation would make it more difficult for opposing wings and ball-handlers to drive into the paint, thus making the jobs for Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo much easier.
Gordon and Tatum’s combined length also provides a modicum of rim protection by itself, at least in transition. Both can get up and down the court with ease and as their instincts improve, they will be able to block more shots.
Even in the halfcourt this kind of rim protection by committee can be very impactful. The Warriors had a similar approach to defense, albeit with mega-elite personnel in Kevin Durant and Draymond Green, and it led to one of the stouter defenses in recent history. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks benefit similarly from LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The point is that having versatile forwards with no shortage of length, athleticism and other defensive tools between them can be just as key to an elite defense as a shot-blocking center.
And of course, Tatum’s versatility makes him more likely to fit with a greater number of players than almost anyone else. So even if the Magic intend to move on from Gordon, he would be a pick the front office can feel good about.