2018 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Marreese Speights

1 of 5

Marreese Speights, LA Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Jon Leuer

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 7: Marreese Speights #5 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against Jon Leuer #30 of the Detroit Pistons during a game on November 7, 2016 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Orlando Magic have long sought veteran leadership in their locker room through this rebuild. Maybe they needed to bring Marreese Speights home to get it.

There is always a bit of public relations talk that goes into every introductory press conference or media availability. Every player is happy to be in his new home and excited for what the future brings. They are the ones who signed on the dotted line. They had to like something about where they were headed.

What happens beyond that introduction is always the uncertain part. That is always the part that determines whether a team’s relationship with a player is a good one. It is the part that shows how invested in a team a player really is.

As Marreese Speights walked through the Amway Center as a member of the Orlando Magic for the first time, it was clear he was pretty invested. If it was not clear then, he has made it clear on social media since. The amount of Magic-inspired “Mo Buckets” gear already available.

Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

There was genuine joy in joining a 29-win team from the former NBA champion who had been to the Playoffs the last four years and six of the last seven. He was going to a rebuilding team that still seems to lack direction.

But Speights knew the direction he was going — home. This would be a lot different than playing the Orlando Magic in the first round of the Playoffs like he did his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Of course, Speights is a much different player today than he was then. He developed a 3-point shot and became a bit more of a veteran.

It was reportedly Speights who helped organize the team’s get together in Los Angeles for pickup games and group workouts. Even without the promise of playing time — Marreese Speights at center is playing behind veterans Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo — Speights seems like he is determined to make a major contribution to this team and to the franchise he grew up cheering for. Even if it is not something we can measure statistically.

Speights, at his heart, is a spark plug. Able to get points up in a hurry with his shooting ability, something rare for a center even in this shot-happy NBA, Speights can still contribute and still score. Albeit in limited and short spurts. That is what the Magic appeared to sign him to do. Where he fits and when the Magic might call on him seems uncertain.

But Speights is exactly where he wants to be.