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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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Isaiah Briscoe, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 6: Isaiah Briscoe #12 of the Orlando Magic handles 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) /

Tanking in 2018-19 Lineup

Isaiah Briscoe/Melvin Frazier/Aaron Gordon/Jonathan Isaac/Mohammed Bamba

I wanted to finish up these lineups with a couple of lineups the Magic should employ if the Magic end up tanking in March and April this upcoming season.

In this scenario, it will be important to see how guys like Isaiah Briscoe and Melvin Frazier will fit in with Orlando’s core players. Additionally, it will be important to see if Briscoe and Frazier can even hang with the starters during the tanking/playoff hunt season.

Every year we see a player or two (anybody recall Ramon Sessions‘ triple-doubles so many years back?) who makes a name for himself at the end of the year when their team has given up on the season.

The Magic need to identify if Briscoe or Frazier has that ability in them.

Additionally, the bench should consist of Jerian Grant/Troy Caupain/Wesley Iwundu/Jarell Martin/Amile Jefferson.  All are young players either on non-guaranteed contracts, expiring contracts or two-way contracts. Each needs to prove they can make it in the NBA.

The reason why Khem Birch is not included here is simple: Birch has already proven he is an NBA rotation player. But the most exposure Birch gets next year as a reserve center, the more his price tag is going to rise in restricted free agency.

The Magic will try to protect themselves from that in the name of giving two-way contract player Jefferson some playing time. Additionally, if Jefferson proves himself the Magic may decide his contract situation ends up being more desirable than Birch’s.

Caupain deserves a shot to see if his shot making can translate to NBA games. It clearly did not for former teammate Rodney Purvis.

Wesley Iwundu, while having proven himself a capable defender, needs to show some kind of role for himself on offense. If he can just make catch-and-shoot corner 3s and work off of that he has a chance to stick.

Jarell Martin gets a shot because the Magic can potentially bring him back next season if he shows the capability to provide reliable depth as an athletic stretch-4.