2018 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Mario Hezonja

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Mario Hezonja, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons

ORLANDO, FL – APRIL 12: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Detroit Pistons on April 12, 2017 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What Could Go Wrong

What could go wrong for Mario Hezonja is fairly straightforward: He could repeat last season.

Being even remotely the same player as last season likely means Hezonja is going to find himself booted right out of the NBA.

As mentioned before, last season’s shooting splits of 35/30 are not NBA-caliber numbers, especially coming from a supposed scorer. If Hezonja cannot shoot, it is hard to justify putting him on the floor.

Another possible way for Hezonja’s season to go wrong would be for Frank Vogel once again to rely on veteran presence without the payoff. Vogel last season found himself relying on guys such as Jeff Green and C.J. Watson over other players even though Watson and Green had done absolutely nothing on the court to earn that playing time. They did not produce much more than Hezonja.

If Frank Vogel were to bury Mario Hezonja for Arron Afflalo, who was shooting 33 percent from deep and not playing passable defense, Hezonja could find himself out of the league for reasons beyond his control.

Vogel has been known to make some baffling rotation decisions as coach. Indiana Pacers fans complained about it, and Orlando Magic fans definitely experienced it last year.

Hezonja will have to outplay some veteran players and overcome this seeming infatuation with veteran players.