Orlando Magic Daily
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Five questions for the 2017-18 Orlando Magic’s third quarter

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 18: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz on November 18, 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 - NOVEMBER 18: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz on November 18, 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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Wesley Iwundu, Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 22: Wesley Iwundu #25 of the Orlando Magic goes to the basket against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 22, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida Or. 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) /

How does Frank Vogel integrate young players?

The trade deadline will keep veterans in the lineup for the time being. They are likely to get showcased for future trades. As the season winds down and gets past that point, the Magic will turn more wholly to the future. At some point, they will have to play the young players who are truly part of this team’s future.

Vogel is already starting to trust some young players a bit more.

Wesley Iwundu is already getting more playing time, filling in the rotation as the backup shooting guard. He has impressed with his defensive ability and cutting. There is still a lot more room for him to grow. But he has looked better as he has gotten more experience. The last half of the season — particularly after the trade deadline — will be a time to set him free a bit more and hand him more responsibility.

For now, Wesley Iwundu is developing as a solid role player. Someone who will come off the bench and defend. Eventually, the shot will have to come. But the Magic are going to groom him to be a big part of the team’s Summer League team.

Khem Birch too will have a big role to play. The Magic will eventually get Nikola Vucevic back and that will muddy the center position. That may squeeze Khem Birch out some. But at this point, Khem Birch should be playing ahead of Marreese Speights on almost every opportunity.

That is not to say anything bad about Marreese Speights. It is that Birch seems to have a greater long-term future with the team.

Birch has played well since entering the rotation. It was a long time coming for him to get there. He has the kind of energy you want from a bench player.

Birch is getting his chance. And players like him — and perhaps two-way players Jamel Artis and Adreian Payne — should get a chance. The Magic might even look at cutting a veteran like Arron Afflalo late in the season — or free up a roster spot — to bring up Rodney Purvis or Troy Caupain from the Lakeland Magic before the end of the year.