Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic’s five most important players going into training camp

By Jean Racine

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 6: Jonathan Isaac #1 and Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic look on during the game 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 and Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic look on during the game 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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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 8: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on April 8, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Aaron Gordon

Aaron Gordon is now the highest paid player on the Orlando Magic after he signed a four-year, $76-million contract this summer.

And for good reason. He seems to be on the break of stardom and could be an All-Star this upcoming season if his growth and the team’s improvement continues.

Last year, he was second on the team in scoring and rebounds with 17.6 points per game. and 7.9 rebounds per game. Gordon shot a career-high 33 percent from three and displayed a much-improved jumper last season. But he needs to work on his shot selection and further develop his ball-handling skills.

As good as Gordon was at the start of the season — 18.5 points per game on 40.1 percent 3-point shooting his first 25 games — he struggled with his finish to the season — 16.0 points per game on 31.6 percent 3-point shooting his final 19 games. Last season showed Gordon had reached another level in his game, but still had a lot of good and bad to work on.

Orlando saw enough to continue its investment in him. That was the easy decision.

Gordon now has to show he can shoulder the load as a top guy on the scouting report. That is a much more difficult task. Too often, Gordon tried to freelance and force his own offense. He settled for mid-range jumpers and forced isolations.

That is still not where Gordon is best. And Orlando has to do a better job putting him in a position where he can score more easily.

But Gordon clearly has reached a point where the team can rely on him to score — to varying degrees of efficiency — and can push him as the team’s top guy.

On top of this, Gordon has become a bigger name around the league with his appearance in the summer movie Uncle Drew. Gordon is the Magic’s most marketable start too.

It is up to him to capitalize on the buzz and make the All-Star team next season. A 20-plus point per game average will almost guarantee him an All-Star spot. He should have an even better year shooting the three-ball and could very well take that next step.