Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers
ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic grabs the rebound against the Indiana Pacers on February 21, 2016 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What Could Go Wrong

While there is much optimism for Aaron Gordon there is also room for things to go wrong.

With the Orlando Magic drafting Jonathan Issac this year, a lot of talk has gone into how to implement a lineup where Gordon and Issac can play together. Until the Magic find that right lineup, if they do this season, there will be lots of mixing of minutes which could throw off Gordon’s rhythm, or push him back to that perimeter role he struggled with last year.

Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon should complement each other — Isaac projects better on the perimeter — but there is no denying these are two very similar players. Long, able athletes with high ceilings they have yet to reach.

To add on top of the Issac narrative, if Gordon starts the season flat and non-impressive, he will have an eager and ready rookie waiting in the wings to take his place in the lineup. Meaning his minutes could disappear very quickly. Or that limitless potential may reach its limit.

Gordon will also have to worry about being sub-par this season for his own good. This is a contract year. He will no longer have the comfort of development under a rookie contract. The Magic will spend the year figuring out exactly how to value him — as will the rest of the NBA.

For the flashes Gordon has shown, he still has been a fiarly inconsistent player. In all, he averaged just 12.7 points per game last year. That is hardly the kind of player a franchise builds around. His play to end the season last year was encouraging and suggests he could take the leap.

But everyone in the Magic organization has hoped for that the last three years too. It has never come — whether it was because of injuries to start the seaosn slowing his development or coaching instability. It appears Gordon does not have any of those excuses entering camp this year.

On the court, the worst that could happen for Gordon is to have a scoring slump or unimpressive scoring numbers. His defense should always be there and he can carve a role there. But ultimately what could turn him into a star or foundational building block is his offensive ability.

If Gordon does not consistently score above double digits this season, it could spell trouble for him, especially as Orlando looks for more scoring contribution throughout the team. He will also have to provide a bigger prescence on the defensive end, especially in the paint.