Orlando Magic Daily
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Aaron Gordon snubbed from ESPN’s 25 under 25

By Philip Rossman-Reich

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 3: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on December 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 3: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on December 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic are low on hope without many young prospects to get excited about. Aaron Gordon‘s latest ranking by ESPN is a sign of these depths.

The Orlando Magic do not have much in the way of exciting young talent. Perhaps the most frustrating and depressing part of the team’s sudden fall to the bottom of the standings is that lack of a discernible future.

Unlike other rebuilding teams, Orlando is not about to come into a load of cap space. They have a decent cache of draft picks, but nothing to write home about. Their biggest asset remains their own pick which is due this year. And looking like it will give them a decent chance of winning the Lottery.

Jonathan Isaac is a rookie and his development remains promising. Coach Frank Vogel is already calling him elite on the defensive end. But his offensive game has a long way to go. Isaac is all potential right now. There is not much clarity on what he can become.

The Magic’s other young piece is about to enter restricted free agency. And after a breakout season this year, it seems Aaron Gordon has finally arrived.

Gordon is averaging 18.3 points per game and shooting 44.3 percent from the floor. He is producing raw stats, at least, in his first year with a high usage rate and a larger role within the offense. It is enough for everyone to believe the Magic are likely to match any offer.

No one is sure whether Gordon will continue to grow and develop. No one is ready to call him a surefire or future All-Star. But at 22, his growth potential is still pretty unlimited. Gordon is still defining himself as a player.

The Magic, at least, are hoping he can continue to do so and are ready to invest a lot in him.

National writers and those around the league, though? They do not seem to know what to make of Gordon.

In a recent ranking of the top 25 players under 25 years old, ESPN noticeably gave Gordon short shrift. They ranked Gordon 21st behind rookies Lauri Markkanen and Lonzo Ball and behind an equal newcomer in Gary Harris and a role player like Clint Capela.

He was not among the conversation of second-tier players behind the already established All Stars at that young age. Gordon is on the outside. Although it seems like some are at least hopeful of his continued growth.

Kevin Pelton of ESPN writes:

"As he completes his fourth season, Gordon is still younger than many of this season’s rookies, including Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma. After last season’s ill-fated experiment at small forward, Gordon has settled in as Orlando’s starting 4 and is averaging a career-high 18.0 points per game. Developing 3-point range has been key to that improvement. After making just 29 percent of his 3s during his first three seasons, Gordon is up to 34 percent in 2017-18."

Maybe that is a bit of short shrift to some of those players. They are all very good and, like Gordon show signs of growth. Perhaps, Gordon is just too much of an unknown.

Maybe there is a bit more respect there than it appears. Gordon’s low ranking is, like everything else, is a product of him bouncing around so much. The Magic did not do much with his development in four years. His progression was slow. The excitement over Gordon as a prospect is not as great as it once might have been.

And, in fairness, Gordon is ranked ahead of Andrew Wiggins and Kyle Kuzma, two players that have shown a bit more scoring consistency and promise in their various times in the league.

Still, Gordon is only 22. He is having his breakout season. It feels a little weird to see him behind some rookies. Gordon has improved by leaps and bounds and seemingly a healthy summer will bring another leap to his game.

Then again, Bobby Marks left Gordon off his ballot completely — the struggling Myles Turner got a vote from him. Kevin Pelton ranked him 15th (perhaps a bit more where we might envision Gordon in this 25 under 25 list). And Chris Herring ranked him No. 22. Behind even San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray.

To say the least, Gordon is not exactly getting respect. Then again, respect is earned.

Next: Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: what's left to do

And next year, Gordon will have to prove he can match and grow from this season’s success. Not to mention, make good on the big contract he is likely to receive.