Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – FEBRUARY 22: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the New York Knicks on February 22, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Who will prove that they should stay… and who should go?

At the beginning of the season — and really throughout — president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman has said he wanted to use this year to evaluate the roster. He wanted to get to know the players better and understand the dynamics that led to the team’s struggles and some of its potential successes.

Injuries have thrown a wrench in a lot of those evaluations. The Magic simply have not had their full complement of players since November. Back then, the team was 8-4.

Even if the “evaluation” line was a way to spin the Magic not having enough cap room or assets to make a dramatic change with a new general manager, that time of evaluation is almost up. The end of the season is near and the team will have to make some decisions.

After six years of missing the playoffs and lacking direction, Weltman will need to make some decisions on this roster. It would be a really tough sell to bring back the same roster with the same core players. Even though the team’s cap situation might dictate that will happen.

These last six weeks are the last chance for many players to prove they belong on Weltman’s future team. Jonathan Isaac is about the safest player on that roster. Aaron Gordon probably has some security too.

Anyone else? They likely have something they need to prove.

Weltman has a difficult puzzle to solve. The pieces have a lot of movement and a lot of uncertainty. They are likely not part of the same box.

Undoubtedly, Weltman will begin shifting those pieces around this summer. He has to. And so this is the last chance for these players to audition for a spot on this team.

That is one of the reasons why trade value matters. It is one of the reasons why playing veterans will still matter. Where does Nikola Vucevic fit in? Where does Terrence Ross fit in?

Next: Jonathan Isaac creating defensive spark in Magic

A lot of those questions might already have answers. If there is any wavering, Weltman has to make those final decisions now. There is only precious little time left in the season to gather information.