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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, New York Knicks
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 3: Wesley Iwundu #25 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) /

Overall Outlook

Wesley Iwundu is still an intriguing player. Not someone the Orlando Magic should outright give up on entering his second year. But he is not someone who should be gifted a spot in the rotation. He has a lot of work to do to earn that place once again.

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The Magic did him no favors in starting to add some players with similar skill sets. It is safe to say there will be an ongoing direct competition between Wesley Iwundu and Melvin Frazier. And whoever plays might come down to whoever is shooting better at the time.

Iwundu has the skills to make it. He has tremendous defensive potential. He showed that off throughout his rookie season and then again in Summer League. Iwundu’s defense is at a NBA level and should give him a role for this team specifically.

But Iwundu will only go as far as his shooting improvements take him. Iwundu was someone other teams could ignore, watching out for him more in transition and on cuts than out on the perimeter. He struggled to shoot throughout his rookie season, confirming the concerns about him coming out of college.

He steadily improved his shooting in college. Iwundu will have to do the same this year to stick around in the NBA, adding that to his defensive ability.

The outlook for Iwundu in 2019 is uncertain then. It is not clear what his role will be with the team. And he will be fighting for every minute he gets on the floor.

But he is still a player that intrigues. As one of the players that Jeff Weltman and John Hammond drafted, they obviously believe in his talent and ability. But this is the big moment for him.

Iwundu faces potential free agency in 2020. And the clock is always ticking in the NBA. Iwundu will have to prove he is a NBA player this year to keep his career going.

Next. 2019 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Jonathon Simmons. dark

It will be all up to him to make it at this point.