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2018 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Aaron Gordon

By Jonathan Treadway

WASHINGTON, DC -  MARCH 5: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic goes up for a dunk during a game against the Washington Wizards on March 5, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  MARCH 5: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic goes up for a dunk during a game against the Washington Wizards on March 5, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons
AUBURN HILLS, MI – OCTOBER 28: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons on October 28, 2016 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What to Look For

Aaron Gordon’s goal for this year is to have a breakout season.

He will be trying to make a lasting impression throughout the year to convince the Magic to stay with him long term. He did his best to do that to end last season.

After the Magic (finally) moved him back up to power forward, Gordon’s numbers took a huge leap forward. He averaged just 11.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game on 44.8 percent field goal percentage before the All-Star Break. After the Break, with Ibaka gone and Gordon back at power forward, Gordon averaged 16.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game with a 50.3 percent field goal percentage.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

Those post-All-Star numbers are more in line with what the Magic want to see from Gordon overall. Expanding that play will guarantee him the breakout he and everyone else, has been waiting on for three years.

The biggest areas for Gordon to improve on will be his outside shooting and interior defense.

Gordon has been working to extend his shooting range and there has been video evidence this offseason to show that he is working and improving it. It certainly could use improvement after he hit on just 28.8 percent of his 3-pointers.

Look for Gordon to become more assertive on offense looking to contribute a solid amount of points throughout the season as well as becoming more physical and more of a presence in the paint on the defensive end. Especially when it comes to rim protection.

Gordon should make it a goal to be a scoring threat from virtually anywhere on the court and become the super athletic stretch-4 Orlando has not had since the likes of Rashard Lewis and Ryan Anderson.

And his mentality this year seems to be more shoot first and get points. He showed plenty of aggressiveness last year as he got more comfortable working in the mid post and driving on power forwards rather than small forwards.

Gordon will also be looking to be more of a defensive monster helping Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo protect the rim while they are on the floor. Gordon will make his presence more known other than when he is throwing monster dunks down.