The Orlando Magic have reached the midpoint of the season feeling a lot of disappointment. In this roundtable, the OMD staff looks back and ahead.
It is safe to say the Orlando Magic season has not gone to plan. Any plan.
At worst, everyone believed the team would be about as good as it was last year with virtually the same roster in place. The Magic believed they would see some improvements just from internal development and the same coaching staff. Everyone talked up the consistency.
Instead, injuries ravaged the roster and many of the schematic and intangible problems that plagued last season’s disaster. The injuries probably make the Magic worse than they actually are. But the plain fact remains: Orlando has the second-worst record in the league. After Friday’s loss to the Washington Wizards, the Orlando Magic are in a virtual tie for the worst record in the league.
There might be quiet cheers for that fact. But it shows just how far the team still has to go.
The midpoint of the season could not come soon enough. At least as a point for some reflection on how the team got to this point. The 8-4 start is well behind the rearview mirror, a glimmer of what this season might have been. The reality looking forward is that the team is building for the future again.
And that future will mean changes to the roster — at last. The Magic cannot afford to roll the team over again. As the team passes the season’s midpoint, the focus shifts to the trade deadline and figuring out exactly how to make this team better.
Aaron Gordon‘s emergence, the promise of Jonathan Isaac and the potential of a high pick in this upcoming draft certainly provide some blueprint for the future. President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman will begin shaping the team in his image and the way he wants.
We took the time at the midpoint of the season to discuss what the first half of the season held and what the future might be for the Orlando Magic.
Enjoy this Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable.
What is the biggest disappointment of this season?
Philip Rossman-Reich (@philiprr_omd): To me, it is that this team lacks the will to win, or at least improve. I feel like I am watching the same sad story on repeat. The Orlando Magic are still the bad team that cannot get out of their own way and do not seem to know how to trust each other. Many of these players have been through several coaches and they do not seem willing to buy in and, at times, sacrifice to win. We saw what the Magic can do when they do this. This group knows what it is capable of. And yet, they cannot reach back and find that and do it consistently. It is the little things that frustrate me — the poor box outs, the hanging heads after missed shots and the lack of attention to details. It all adds up.
Ricky Scricca (@scricca1): I mentioned a few times heading into the season’s first road trip that we would learn a lot about this team, and whether or not that start was sustainable, based on how they rebounded from the inevitable losses they would suffer over that stretch. Of course, injuries have played a big part, but we learned that this team does not have the collective mental fortitude (whether you want to blame that on the individuals or the environment is another debate) to do consistently execute the most basic, small things necessary to compete. Before the season began it seemed the Magic’s psyche had changed from last year and they would be playing all of 2018 with a chip on their shoulder. It is very disappointing how quickly and drastically that collapsed.
Spencer R. Henderson (@SpencerRHenders): The biggest disappointment of this season clearly was the way Frank Vogel used his lottery pick. Or the lack of him using his lottery pick. Last year the organization traded their lottery pick and this year they did not play him enough for him to develop. Usually, a losing team uses their lottery pick to help develop their skills in their first year. Before Jonathan Isaac got hurt he was only averaged 18.9 minutes per game. That is unacceptable. There is no rookie lottery pick playing from last year’s draft averaging less than Isaac. The Magic are not good enough not to play their lottery picks — probably even before Isaac’s injury when the team was 8-4. And even if their record was as good as a team like the Boston Celtics, who allow their rookie Jayson Tatum to average more than 30 minutes per game, they still need to allow Jonathan Isaac to play multiple positions to develop some sort of chemistry between him, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic.
Orlando Magic
Zach Palmer (@FmrTankCommandr): I would have to say it is the fact the Magic players just do not play fundamentally sound basketball. People like to point to youth when players are not fundamentally sound. But let’s be completely honest, Orlando really is not a young team in terms of basketball years anymore. Sure, from an age perspective this is a young team but these guys have played enough seasons at an NBA level to box out or to make an easy rotation. Well, I guess that is not actually the case since the Magic continue to prove that they cannot do any of these things on a consistent basis.
Patrick Flynn (@PFlynn33): The Magic showed their potential with the abilities they have as a team early on and then completely fell off the table. Their 3-point percentage was bound to drop. But, after seeing how good they can play together and then take 100 steps backward, showing lackluster effort and will has been frustrating. Even with all of the injuries the Magic have had, it feels like the drop off since the first 12-15 games has been too drastic.
Is there anything positive you can hold onto? What would make for a “successful” second half of the season?
Rossman-Reich: Aaron Gordon’s emergence is the biggest positive. I can buy into the Aaron Gordon-Jonathan Isaac-Insert High Draft Selection here as a core that could come together fairly quickly. There is something to grow from there. I think a successful second half of the season sees Gordon continue to grow and expand his game. It will also see Isaac return to the lineup. That is a must for this team because he figures so importantly into the future. Otherwise, there is not much positive to hold onto. Just inject Gordon dunks directly into my veins.
Scricca: Aaron Gordon’s shooting, of course, has been a massive revelation. Wesley Iwundu looking like a real NBA player is also great news considering it is relatively rare to see second-rounders stick around the league and have an impact. A successful second half has nothing to do with wins or losses at this point, but whether this team can start playing for each other again, executing with purpose and making better decisions. All we can hope is that players returning from injury manage to spark something.
Henderson: The way the Magic started off the year on top of the Eastern Conference was the only positive. Aaron Gordon should have shown this emergence last year and Elfrid Payton and Nikola Vucevic are still on the trading block. The sad part about this culture is if the team wins somewhere between 35-38 games, it is a success. The team needs to go on at least one winning streak of three games, that would make a successful second half of the season.
Palmer: There are a few things that I can think of. First, and probably most important of all, is that Aaron Gordon is a legitimate threat from the 3-point line. While his shot selection is still questionable, his ability to shoot three’s may eventually allow him to move back to the small forward spot. The second thing you can take away from this season is Wesley Iwundu looks to have been a solid second-round selection. Iwundu is probably the best perimeter defender on the team (Gordon has regressed) and he shows very good decision making in transition. If he ever feels comfortable shooting the ball he can be a real positive impact player. The last thing I take away from this season is the fact Mario Hezonja is a solid NBA player. Not exercising that low-risk option may haunt the Magic in the future.
Flynn: If you want to call this a “positive,” it is encouraging that early signs show there is a potential trade market for Evan Fournier. Being that Evan Fournier has the largest contract on the team, it would be smart for the Magic to move his contract. I also find the play of Mario Hezonja encouraging. But his return to the Magic may be unlikely. So that is sort of a backhanded compliment.
What is the first player the Orlando Magic should focus on moving on from to reconfigure this rebuild?
Rossman-Reich: Realistically (sorry no one is taking Bismack Biyombo‘s contract), I think the point guard question is the big one to solve. But Evan Fournier is probably the player the Magic need to move most. Fournier can play off the ball and I think he can be a supporting player elsewhere. But I do not think he would do that here — that is the problem with a lot of players on this roster. Evan Fournier to some extent is blocking some of Aaron Gordon’s growth on the ball and late in games. He is also the guy who could probably net the most for this team overall. Fournier is not a bad player — I have encountered confusion on this — but he is not the player the Magic need. It might be time to free up those possessions despite his value to this team.
Scricca: Evan Fournier is the only player on this team signed through 2021 (he has a player option). Moving him would ensure flexibility going forward. He also probably has more trade value than anyone on this team besides Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac because of his shooting ability, age and contract.
Henderson: Elfrid Payton and Nikola Vucevic need to be the first two shopped around so the organization can build around Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. Payton has been a disappointment during his tenure, to say the least, for a lottery-pick point guard. He is a backup point guard at best on a championship level team and has yet to show that he can be a championship level starting point guard. And Vucevic has shown the ability to play at a high level but has never made an All-Star team in a weak Eastern Conference. He may be able to start on a championship level team but will never develop into a first or second option on a championship-level team. And for that reason, the Magic should let him go and explore other options.
Palmer: Elfrid Payton is the only right answer here. Payton consistently causes Orlando’s defense to fall apart with his constant roaming and poor rotations. On offense, teams do not fear him from deep and leave him wide open which shrinks the floor for Orlando’s other players. Yes, he has improved his shooting. No, it has not made an impact.
Flynn: It has to be Evan Fournier. Bismack Biyombo’s contract is next to unmovable due to his offensive limitations. Fournier has shown to be productive and can shoot the 3-pointer which is more valuable than ever. As I said earlier, there has already shown to be a market for him so the Magic may be in a position to steer the franchise in a new (hopefully right) direction.
Do you believe Aaron Gordon can be the franchise-building piece? What do you make of this potential core — Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and the 2018 Draft pick?
Rossman-Reich: I think Aaron Gordon can be an All-Star. I think he will be a very good player. But I am not sure he is the primary, No. 1 option guy. I think he still needs someone to set him up. He is still not a great one-on-one player, although he tries very hard. Gordon still works best off cuts and in transition. He needs others to get him going. At least for now. So he is an important piece and worth the max contract he will get this summer but I am not sure he can do it alone. And so I think the Magic’s draft pick will probably be a bigger piece. But the core of Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and one of these top picks is really promising. I think that core jump starts the rebuild a little bit. It gives Orlando a good place to build from. I like what each asset can bring to the table. And I am all in on it (for now).
Scricca: It depends on how you define a franchise player. I think for a lot of people, it is hard to consider someone who is not great at creating for themselves or others a true cornerstone because the offense will usually be running through someone else. I do not think Gordon is best suited with the ball in his hands. He is more of a two-way weakside player, although he can play that kind of role at an All-Star level. I would try to add a strongside player, like a point guard (e.g. Oklahoma Sooners guard Trae Young) or wing with ball skills (e.g. Missouri Tigers forward Michael Porter Jr.), in this draft. That player would then likely be considered the cornerstone because the offense would run through them more than Gordon. In my opinion, adding Young, Porter or really any of the other projected top-5 prospects would make for an excellent core for the modern NBA.
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Henderson: The only way that Aaron Gordon can make an All-Star team is if Frank Vogel makes major adjustments to the roster. These moves will allow Gordon to improve on his inside scoring in the post, shoot close to 55 percent on field goals, shoot close to 80 percent from the free throw line and keep his 3-point percentage respectable. Also, Vogel needs to experiment with Jonathan Isaac playing a point forward type of role in moments of games with him and Aaron Gordon. The coach will also need to put Bismack Biyombo at center to match Gordon’s lateral quickness and athleticism on defense. And surround Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Bismack Biyombo around Evan Fournier and the 2018 shooting guard/point guard style lottery pick. This is the formula that can unleash all of Gordon’s potential.
Palmer: This potential core intrigues me. Would Jonathan Isaac play center in this scenario? Would Aaron Gordon play small forward? Who do the Magic draft? These are pretty important variables. So let’s play a game here. Assume the worst and Orlando ends up picking fifth. If the Magic end up with a core of Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Texas Longhorns center Mohamed Bamba, I would be very interested to see how teams would score against that kind of length. Offensively, it would be a struggle but I certainly would be excited about the future of the team.
Flynn: What Aaron Gordon has shown this year so far proves to me he has the work ethic and desire to be that franchise player. He is one of the most improved players this year and has shown he can score at a high clip with a handful of games this season scoring around 40 points. If the Magic are able to move Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon will continue to grow as he will not be fighting Fournier for the ball in late game situations.
Who are you liking most in this year’s Draft as conference play starts?
Rossman-Reich: I am still getting around to the prospects in this draft. I have seen the top guys at least for a half. There is definitely talent. I am probably the one to downplay and say there are very good players in this Draft, but not any “Drop everything and tank for this player specifically” players. I like Luka Doncic a lot. I think he is the real deal and am impressed with his stats. I am intrigued by Arizona Wildcats center Deandre Ayton a lot too. The top two guys in this draft are really good. But they have flaws. But, I will admit some bias here. Trae Young is really interesting. And the more I think about how so many teams made the mistake with Stephen Curry, I would be afraid of letting a shooter of his caliber slip by. A shooter with his passing ability has some incredible gravity. He may be the guy the Magic need.
Scricca: There are a ton of guys I like. Luka Doncic is absolutely my number one, and I do not see that changing unless Trae Young manages to sustain this ridiculous level of play all season. Young’s sustainability is the biggest question for me and whether he can consistently create enough separation at the next level to get off his low-release shot. Duke Blue Devils forward Marvin Bagley and his defensive switchability would be a very intriguing fit with Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon. Wendell Carter Jr. and Villanova Wildcats forward Mikal Bridges are two high-floor prospects with very high skill levels and sneaky potential to end up among the best in this class. And of course, there is the injured Michael Porter, who has potential to be excellent in so many ways: playmaking, shooting, scoring at all three levels, defense against multiple positions, etc. I also have my eyes on Wichita State Shockers forward Landry Shamet, Kentucky Wildcats guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Creighton Bluejays guard Khyri Thomas, Kansas Jayhawks guard Devonte’ Graham, West Virginia Mountaineers guard Jevon Carter and Ohio State Buckeyes forward Keita Bates-Diop as potential second-round sleepers. In short, I am very excited about this class.
Henderson: Obviously Luka Doncic is everyone’s number one or two draft pick but I would seriously consider Trae Young from Oklahoma. He is averaging 29.4 points per game and 10.2 assists. That sounds like a really good player to put around Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac going forward. While Doncic from Slovenia is averaging 18.6 points per game playing for Real Madrid, Young is leading the NCAA in points and assists. The Magic passing on this guy would be another huge mistake by an organization that has not made the Playoffs since Dwight Howard wore number 12 in Magic blue.
Palmer: To be completely honest I have only seen a few prospects thus far. Deandre Ayton, while offensively dominant, I just do not like what I have seen defensively. For Mohamed Bamba, it is the exact opposite. Trae Young sure looks spectacular but he does not seem like a Weltman/Hammond type of pick. For me, Luka Doncic is by far and away the most impressive prospect I have seen. Doncic is dominating grown men in Spain. I will admit that I worry about his athleticism in the NBA but he is just so skilled that I cannot see him failing in the NBA.
Flynn: The two guys that come to mind for me are Luca Doncic and Trae Young. Doncic seems to have the playmaking ability to make his teammates better. His big body and ball handling skills give me hopes of the next Ben Simmons-type player. Trae Young has a scoring ability that can immediately translate to the NBA which instantly takes the load off of other young guys trying to find their role with the team. Jonathan Isaac has been great on the defensive end while he is healthy. I still need to see him on the floor more to be able to get truly excited about his future. I am not pessimistic by any means on Isaac, Moreso reserving judgment until he can play at least half a season.
Next: Orlando Magic Second Quarter MVP: Aaron Gordon
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