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2019 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Aaron Gordon

By Philip Rossman-Reich

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 3: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on December 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York, 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 3: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on December 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York, 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Kosta Koufos, Sacramento Kings
ORLANDO, FL – NOVEMBER 3: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic goes up for a dunk during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 3, 2016 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Overall Outlook

It is safe to say the outlook for Aaron Gordon is as optimistic as it is for any player. He has become the next player in the long line of obsession for fans searching for the team’s next star. While he does not have the prodigious length that Jonathan Isaac or Mohamed Bamba have, Aaron Gordon is developmentally further along.

And in some symbolic way, letting him take over as the team’s “top” player serves as some transition from the Rob Hennigan era to the Jeff Weltman era. No offense to Evan Fournier or Nikola Vucevic, who have done the best they can and performed well but do not have the otherworldly athleticism or potential elite skills that Aaron Gordon has.

After last year’s breakout season, the hope is Aaron Gordon is ready to take the leap that Victor Oladipo struggled to make in Orlando.

Oladipo averaged 17.9 points per game and 16.0 points per game in his last two seasons with the Magic. He added plenty of incredible scoring performances to boot. But there was always the sense that he was not a consistent player or that he always helped the team win. It felt like, at times, his stats were empty.

The Magic were obviously wrong to give up on him so soon, even if the circumstances and Oladipo’s potential contract made the decision a bit tougher. Hindsight is 20/20. Oladipo developed into an All-Star (maybe something he would not have done with the Orlando Magic, needing the exposure to superstar player Russell Westbrook with the Oklahoma City Thunder).

But this is not a way to rehash Oladipo. The Magic seemingly learned from that mistake in Gordon and opted not to let a 22-year-old on the verge of breaking out as a star depart in free agency. Of course, there is no guarantee Gordon gets there.

Like Oladipo, Gordon struggled some to play that starring role and help his team win. Becoming a star is not cut-and-dry or solely about scoring averages. The Magic are hoping Gordon can evolve in that direction.

That is what a lot of this upcoming season will be about for Gordon. He has to continue to improve as a scorer and playmaker. And become the team’s future star.

Next. 2019 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Wesley Iwundu. dark

Maybe even breaking through and getting that serious All-Star consideration.