Orlando Magic Daily
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Areas to improve for Aaron Gordon

By Ryan Doyle

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 27: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball as P.J. Tucker #2 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on March 27, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 27: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball as P.J. Tucker #2 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on March 27, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors
Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors /

Heading into his fourth season, Aaron Gordon still needs to improve upon a few aspects of his game for the Orlando Magic to reach their potential.

Aaron Gordon may be facing the biggest offseason of his career. He is entering the later stages of his rookie contract and he should be eyeing a big extension. If he wants to cash in, he needs to work on a handful of things this summer to improve his game.

With a big contract looming, Gordon needs to prove he is a necessity to the Orlando Magic’s new front office. It appears the team is trying to build an identity. Gordon needs to prove he can fit that mold.

In his second season under coach Frank Vogel, Gordon should continue his elite-level defensive play. He has already established his trust and strength on that end.

The work for Gordon must come on the offensive side of the ball. Whether it be shooting or ball-handling, Gordon needs to become a consistent offensive threat.

Last season, Gordon did take some nice improvements on offense. He shot better from mid-range and found his groove later in the season. Sadly, Orlando decided to force Gordon into a position where he was simply not comfortable in for most of the year, playing at small forward for the majority of the season.

Before the All-Star Break, playing mostly small forward, Gordon averaged 11.2 points per game and shot 42.8 percent from the floor (with a 47.8 percent effective field goal percentage). After the All-Star Break, playing mostly power forward, Gordon averaged 16.4 points per game and shot 50.3 percent from the floor. His usage ticked up and he was a more efficient player, with a 53.8 percent effective field goal percentage.

When Gordon returned to power forward, the offense became less of an issue for Gordon. He was not asked to carry a large amount of the load and could play closer to the basket. But Gordon spent most of the year playing a position he was not suited for.

He needs to use this offseason to catch back up.