Orlando Magic Daily
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5 questions that remain for Orlando Magic at preseason’s midpoint

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 7: Jordan Mickey #25 of the Miami Heat goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic during a preseason game on October 8, 2017 at 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)
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 7: Jordan Mickey #25 of the Miami Heat goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic during a preseason game on October 8, 2017 at 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) /
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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) /

Can Mario Hezonja win a spot in the rotation?

Orlando Magic fans have long waited for Mario Hezonja to get his chance and to break through into the rotation. His disappointing season last year only further feeds the anxiety about the future for the fifth overall pick.

The signals coach Frank Vogel sent out regarding the young forward were that he was getting his shot to crack the rotation. He has played all the minutes off the bench instead of Arron Afflalo. Arron Afflalo did not even enter the game until late in Thursday’s game and not until the second half of Saturday’s game.

Hezonja has had every opportunity show off.

Injuries slowed Hezonja all last year. Recovering from that knee injury was Hezonja’s priority throughout the summer.

The Magic no longer need Hezonja to be “fifth-overall-pick” Mario Hezonja. They just need a useful bench player who can spread the floor with his 3-point shot. He surely had to improve on his horrid 29.9 percent shooting from beyond the arc. This was supposed to be his NBA skill.

Hezonja has been better than last year in his short preseason stint. He seems to be moving around a lot better and more active than he was all last season when he said he often felt a sharp pain in his knee throughout the season. But the production simply is not there.

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Hezonja is averaging 8.0 points per game in 17.0 minutes per game this preseason. He is shooting an icy 8 for 26 from the floor and 1 for 12 from beyond the arc. To say the least, the Magic were hoping to see Hezonja get back on track and fit into the team’s scheme. Giving him most of the playing time off the bench with the second unit was meant to be his chance to shine.

Hezonja has had plenty of time on the ball. And he has felt pretty free to try and create for himself. His decisionmaking has not been fantastic and Vogel even said he would like to see Hezonja get a little more conservative with his shot selection. But at least Hezonja has gotten the opportunity to play.

Afflalo has not played nearly as much as Hezonja in the preseason. But he came in during Saturday’s game against the Miami Heat and produced. And it is the way he produced. Afflalo is going to be reliable and consistent. Something Hezonja is not right now.

And the way Afflalo took over to finish Saturday’s game does not bode well for Hezonja’s future.