Five Orlando Magic takeaways from NBA Summer League
Shooting will still be a premium
The Orlando Magic’s Summer League roster was not full of shooters. Braian Angola-Rojas, signed to an exhibit 10 contract, had a shooter’s reputation from his days with the Florida State Seminoles. But other than him, it is hard to say who the team could rely upon as 3-point shooters.
The Magic, in other words, were not going to space the floor super effectively.
Melvin Frazier and Wesley Iwundu are known more for their defensive prowess and not their shooting. In fact, that is the thing those two players have to work on most as their careers continue on. Both Frazier and Iwundu seemed able to drive into the lane, but they both were going a bit too fast and lacked the finesse to finish.
Recent signee Isaiah Briscoe is also not known for his shooting. That was what held him back some with the Kentucky Wildcats. He had to go overseas to improve his shot. And it looked a bit better. But the results were still not great — even in a small sample size thanks to a shin contusion.
Orlando last year finished 28th in 3-point percentage, making 35.1 percent. The team has a dearth of shooting. Outside of Evan Fournier and D.J. Augustin, it is hard to say anyone is an efficient shooter. Maybe Terrence Ross can get thrown into that group.
The key players for the Magic this summer were all non-shooters. Jonathan Isaac is improving, but not a reliable 3-point shooter yet. Mohamed Bamba has worked tirelessly on improving his shot this offseason. It looked better and he will keep defenses honest. But he is not exactly a floor spacer either.
The Magic’s poor overall 3-point performance during Summer League is not going to solve any of the main roster’s problems from beyond the arc or spacing the floor.