Orlando Magic Daily
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2017-18 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Aaron Gordon

By Philip Rossman-Reich

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 27: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the Indiana Pacers on January 27, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 27: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the Indiana Pacers on January 27, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic /

Aaron Gordon was drafted as a bundle of potential that had not yet formed. In the course of this season, he started to break out and show a true form.

Aaron Gordon has always been a promise.

Coming out of the Arizona Wildcats program, he was a bundle of potential. An athletic freak who just overpowered weaker competition by his physicality. Someone who had an unnatural defensive understanding. The outline of a future NBA player was there. It was just all in its infancy.

The Orlando Magic bet on that long-term development when they made him the fourth overall pick int he 2014 NBA Draft. Having missed the opportunity to draft on the supposed surefire stars in the top three of that draft, Orlando seemed willing to bet on athleticism and versatility as the order of the day.

At some point, a player has to be more than their potential. Former general manager Rob Hennigan’s line that Aaron Gordon was merely a forward could only carry so far. At some point, there needed to be some definition to his game.

And Gordon’s first three years provided zero clarity. His rookie season was lost virtually entirely due to injury. He was nothing more than a bouncy rookie off the bench with a few highlight plays. An offseason jaw injury stunted his growth in his second year, relegating him again to nothing more than energy plays.

His third year saw him moved to the perimeter, which exposed perhaps his biggest weakness — his poor shooting. Gordon was never in a position to succeed.

Then came this year. Playing in a more modern offense that emphasized speed and floor spacing — as best as this team could, at least — Gordon thrived. Then the last piece came in.

Gordon did not make a star leap in his 2018 season. But for the first time, everyone could see the outlines of a franchise player. He was the sign of hope for the team.

He shot out of the gates with a strong start to the season. It slowed some — injuries again played a role — but he was undoubtedly the Magic’s best player all year. Gordon finished the year averaging a team-high 17.6 points per game and shooting a career-best 33.6 percent from beyond the arc.

Gordon had to adjust to being the top guy on the scouting report. He had to adjust to carrying a good chunk of the offensive load and learning the responsibilities that come with that role. But Gordon is confident and just 22 years old. Whatever mistakes or frustrations he had this year surely were growing pains.

And if he could make this big a leap after one healthy summer, the Magic have to be excited about what might come with the next summer.