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

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 10: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic and Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks reach for a loose ball during a game at the Bradley Center on January 10, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 10: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic and Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks reach for a loose ball during a game at the Bradley Center on January 10, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Wesley Iwundu, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 23: Wesley Iwundu #25 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Washington Wizards on December 23, 2017 at Capital One Arena 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) /

What can the young guys do?

Inevitably, the Orlando Magic will be experimenting with lineups and trying to figure out what the guys at the end of their roster can do. This is the time several players have been waiting for. Opportunity will be plenty for them.

Second round pick Wesley Iwundu has had sporadic minutes throughout the year. At one point, he was getting consistent playing time and showing flashes of strong defensive ability. His growth mostly came with the Lakeland Magic. As his rookie season comes to a close, it feels like it is time to throw him into the deep end.

Especially now with Evan Fournier out with a sprained MCL. There are now minutes for Wesley Iwundu to take on the wings. And the Magic know he should get them. Or at least they should.

Iwundu has been a relatively underwhelming 3.3 points per game and 45.7 percent shooting. That is even with Iwundu’s reluctance to shoot. This will be his chance to get some more playing time and play him a bit more to see what he can do and emphasize what he needs to work on this summer.

The same goes for Jonathan Isaac (covered above). And for Khem Birch.

Khem Birch has had a tough time cracking the Magic’s crowded center rotation. But when he has gotten playing time, he has looked like the Magic’s most consistent defensive option. And at least serviceable enough offensively. More playing time for him would obviously benefit him and make him a valuable team player next year.

Rodney Purvis, the recent call-up and 10-day contract signee, also will surely get his chance to play and show if he can translate his prodigious scoring in the G-League — more than 20 points per game and 38-percent shooting from beyond the arc — translates to the NBA.

Orlando cut Rashad Vaughn before the expiration of his 10-day contract essentially because his injury would prevent him from actually playing. Orlando has shown it is interested in playing these players.

Not all of these players will make it. But the Magic owe it to themselves to try these young players out and give them a chance to sink or swim on a NBA floor. That is what the last quarter of a season is for when a team has very little to play for.