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2019 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Wesley Iwundu

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 6: Wes Iwundu #25 of the Orlando Magic warms-up before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Amway Center on February 6, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Cavaliers 116 to 98. 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. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Wes Iwundu
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 6: Wes Iwundu #25 of the Orlando Magic warms-up before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Amway Center on February 6, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Cavaliers 116 to 98. 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. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Wes Iwundu /
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Wesley Iwundu, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, David Nwaba
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 20: David Nwaba #11 of the Chicago Bulls puts up a shot past Wesley Iwundu #25 of the Orlando Magic at the United Center on December 20, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Magic 112-94. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

What to Look For

Expectations were kind of low for Wesley Iwundu when he arrived in Orlando last year as a second-round pick. He had shown some life offensively in his junior year with the Kansas State Wildcats, but he was a project offensively. His calling card was his defense and versatility.

That is what the Magic were hoping to get from him last year. And they did in spurts.

Iwundu’s rookie season was an odd one. He ended up getting plenty of playing time during the course of the season, but he did not make much of a statistical impact.

Even defensively, it was hard to measure what Iwundu gave on the floor. Basketball-Reference recorded him with a positive impact with 0.7 defensive win shares and a 0.2 defensive box plus-minus. Indeed, he was at least a solid defensive player. That was enough to continue giving him a luck.

That is where Iwundu shined at in Summer League. He was a stellar defensive player who harassed and smothered the players at that level. He showed a supreme confidence and willingness to play at a high level.

That was a big jump for Iwundu who often faded into the background even on defense last season. If Iwundu transfers that confidence to the NBA season, he could become a valuable player.

Especially considering the other strong players the Magic have defensively. Much of the talk coming out of Summer League was the Magic’s defensive potential.

Adding a strong defender like Wesley Iwundu to the group that includes Jonathan Isaac, Aaron Gordon and Mohamed Bamba is interesting to think about. That group could put a lot of pressure on teams with their defensive ability, help side on the back end and versatility to switch.

That is what the Magic ultimately envision for this team. And Iwundu clearly can have a place in that.

He will need to improve his shooting to become truly valuable. But the biggest thing for Iwundu is to establish himself as a defensive ace. If he can do that, minutes and a role will clearly follow.