Five biggest questions facing Orlando Magic in training camp

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SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 9: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic gets introduced into the starting lineup against the Sacramento Kings on March 9, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Orlando Magic have some big questions to answer as they prepare for this season. And as they get to work in camp, these questions come into focus.

The Orlando Magic enter the 2019 season staring down the longest playoff drought in the team’s history. Not to mention a growing history of frustration when it comes to a rebuild that has no end in sight.

President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman took to his second offseason facing this frustrating reality and did . . . very little.

The Magic traded out Bismack Biyombo and let go of veteran players like team assist leader Shelvin Mack, Arron Afflalo and Marreese Speights. In their place came young veterans like Jerian Grant and Jarell Martin and rookies Mohamed Bamba and Melvin Frazier.

Those additions are not exactly going to convince anyone the Magic have taken a significant step from their 25-win season last year. Even with how injury-filled as it was. This is a team still admittedly going through its growing pains and looking to rebuild.

Of course, it is also a team with some established players and young veterans looking to make their mark. Players like Aaron Gordon, coming off a breakout season last year. Or Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier, trying to shrug off years of losing with this franchise.

No one is quite sure how to measure what success looks like for this team. Wins and losses would be a nice way to go about it but certainly, it is about growth too. The Magic have to see the team continue to improve with their young players — and key young players — showing they can step to the front.

The 2019 season then is part of a larger story for the Magic as they continue to improve and progress. It is a season where the Magic will likely begin asking some very big questions and starting to suss out answers as they continue to grow and develop.

Training camp is a time for the present though. It is a time for the team to begin setting the course for its season.

New coach Steve Clifford has a big task ahead of him to figure out how to get the most of his team and set the team up for the future. It is a difficult task for any coach.

As training camp gets set to begin for the Magic, there are some big questions to ask. And precious little time to answer them before the season begins.