2018 Orlando Magic Outlook: A reset? A step forward? A season of uncertainty

The Bench

The Orlando Magic have always seemingly had a good core of young players (at least until a few years ago). But they were never able to supplement it or hold onto the quality role and reserve players necessary to take a step up. The Magic were figuring everything out.

And so it was when Orlando felt it was ready to take the next step to the Playoffs last year, the team also sought to remake its depth and add veterans to stabilize the team.

The Magic signed Bismack Biyombo to the big contract so that one of Biyombo and Nikola Vucevic would always be on the floor. They signed D.J. Augustin to a long-term deal. And, yes, the Magic hoped Jeff Green would be a stable scoring force off the bench.

To say it did not work is an understatement, to say the least.

According to HoopsStats, the Magic’s bench last year was 27th overall. After the All-Star Break, it was the worst bench in the league by a long shot. Orlando did not know what it could get from its bench even as its starting lineup was playing well.

With the limited funds the Magic had to spend this year, they were going to focus on their bench. They could not spend a ton of money or commit a lot of long-term money, but they knew they had to get more consistency and improve this reserve unit. At the very least to provide competition within practice.

They started by looking for some versatility in signing backup point guard Shelvin Mack. They stayed patient to get Jonathon Simmons, a player who had shown promise when called upon with the San Antonio Spurs in the Playoffs last season. Orlando drafted a promising young prospect in Jonathan Isaac to be part of the team’s future. Then they added two stalwart veterans in Arron Afflalo and Marreese Speights on minimum contracts.

All this with the stable that remained. Bismack Biyombo, despite his down year, can be a game changer defensively. Mario Hezonja still has top-five talent if he can ever rediscover his shot. And D.J. Augustin can still score when called upon.

There are still plenty of questions.

Jonathon Simmons has never had a major bench role. He still played mostly spot minutes and averaged a little more than six points per game last year.

Arron Afflalo has not been the same since leaving Orlando in 2013 and he had a career-worst year coring last year with the Sacramento Kings. His 3-point shooting is valuable, but it is fair to ask how much more he can contribute. Shelvin Mack has had his up-and-down ride in his career too.

And the Magic are still overloaded at center. Marreese Speights should be able to play for this team, but he probably is not a fit as a power forward anymore.

This does not even get into how the Magic can ensure Jonathan Isaac’s development.

The bench is never a sure thing. That is typically the reason those players come off the bench rather than start. But if Orlando’s bet on its starting lineup pays off, it will need a decent bench to get it over the finish line.

It is hard to look at the work Jeff Weltman did and not think the bench is better. If things go wrong with the starters, there are a few players who can at least be replacement-level starters. The Magic’s lack of true top-end talent may limit the team’s ceiling. But the bench will set the team’s floor.

Orlando’s bench looks much improved. The floor may indeed be a bit higher this year.

Jonathon Simmons Outlook
Arron Afflalo Outlook
Shelvin Mack Outlook
D.J. Augustin Outlook
Bismack Biyombo Outlook
Marreese Speights Outlook
Jonathan Isaac Outlook