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Five things to watch from Orlando Magic Summer League

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford stands between draft picks Mo Bamba (5) and Justin Jackson (23) during a news conference at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, June 22, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)
Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford stands between draft picks Mo Bamba (5) and Justin Jackson (23) during a news conference at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, June 22, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /
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Troy Caupain, Lakeland Magic
LAKELAND, FL – MARCH 23: Troy Caupain #10 of the Lakeland Magic handles the ball against the Delaware 87ers on March 23, 2018 at RP Funding Center in Lakeland, 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) /

Troy Caupain‘s two-way fight

Arguably the Lakeland Magic’s best player last year was converted point guard Troy Caupain. He averaged 15.6 points per game and 5.8 assists per game while shooting 34.7 percent from beyond the arc. Like his teammate Rodney Purvis, he was a bit of a volume scorer, but he had plenty of strong performances.

When the Magic were searching around for 10-day contracts and potential G-League call-ups late in the season, everyone believed Caupain would be that guy. He had played so well at Lakeland and the team seemingly needed a third point guard with just D.J. Augustin and Shelvin Mack remaining on the roster.

Caupain ended up finishing the year in Lakeland without a call-up.

That chance to make the main roster appears to be on the horizon. Caupain seems to have some inside track at possibly getting a two-way contract this year. And with Orlando likely needing a third point guard — in addition to a starting point guard — Caupain fills a need if the Magic are looking to add a training camp invitee to the roster.

That is a huge opportunity for the second-year player. He is someone the organization is familiar with who has produced within their system — albeit the previous coach — and had a relationship with the organization.

Caupain is the exact kind of player the Magic would take this risk on too. He is listed at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds. Caupain is a big strong guard with decent length — not overwhelming length by any means though.

He has good defensive potential, but that is unclear. And obviously, his offensive game is a bit more developed. Caupain still has to develop his point guard skills. He is still probably more of an off guard. But that kind of versatility is fine in a guy who is going to play at the end of the bench.

Next: Orlando Magic should target Isaiah Thomas

Summer League will be a big opportunity for the team to learn a lot about its roster. The results to the games may not matter and it is not fully dispositive. But the Magic will get a lot out of the next week in Las Vegas one way or the other.