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Mix and Match: Intriguing Lineups the Orlando Magic could explore this year

By Zach Palmer

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 6: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 6, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 6: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 6, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 3: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic goes to the basket against the New York Knicks on April 3, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Projected Starting Lineup

D.J. Augustin/Evan Fournier/Jonathan Isaac/Aaron Gordon/Nikola Vucevic

You can make the argument the Orlando Magic will choose to not start Jonathan Isaac. But I do not think that is going to happen.

Isaac showed he made clear strides in his game during the Summer League and he is easily Orlando’s best defensive player. Steve Clifford, who is known to focus on the defensive side of the ball will almost certainly fall in love with Isaac during training camp.

In addition, recall that Clifford the last couple of years with the Charlotte Hornets tended to use lineups that put 6-foot-8 Nicolas Batum at shooting guard while playing 6-foot-7 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who compares to Jonathan Isaac shockingly well in this situation, and 6-foot-9 Marvin Williams at power forward.

Do not be stunned to see Isaac playing an eerily similar role as Kidd-Gilchrist in Orlando’s starting lineup this year.

Another issue that people will probably have with this lineup is that Nikola Vucevic is the starter over Mohammed Bamba.

Now I will be honest, I understand your issue and agree completely. Bamba is clearly the team’s future and Vucevic the team’s past. Bamba should be able to do all the things Vucevic has simply been unable to do from the center position for the last five years.

But if Vucevic is not traded before the regular season, he is undoubtedly the starting center for the team.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

The Magic have Vucevic on the team for better or worse to attempt to show off some value and hopefully entice a team to bite on a trade for him prior to the deadline. It is probably fair to make the assumption the Magic have been shopping Vucevic all summer but none of the offers for him were enough for the Magic to pull the trigger.

And besides, Bamba is not likely ready to take over starter’s minutes. He played fewer than 20 minutes per game during Summer League. Orlando seems set to bring him along slowly. An instant starter’s job is not likely in the cards — even if he shows out during preseason and training camp.

What this lineup offers is honestly, very questionable.

Unless Jonathan Isaac, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic show some solid improvement from deep, the spacing for this lineup is less than ideal. Additionally, outside of Isaac and Gordon (when he is focused), there are very sub-par defenders on the court.

Truly, this is one of Orlando’s least interesting lineups yet it will likely be their most used one this season (at least until Vucevic is traded).