Five biggest questions facing Orlando Magic in training camp

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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee, WI – APRIL 9: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 9, 2018 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Center Disorder

The Orlando Magic are once again loaded at center with too many players who probably need to see some time on the court. A big task ahead of them is figuring out how to divide the center minutes. And probably sort out an overall strategy to ensure Mohamed Bamba’s growth in the process.

Nikola Vucevic remains the clear No. 1 option. He is a solid double-double guy in the league still. Vucevic still has some shortcomings defensively but he has continued to expand his offensive game and get better defensively. Whether that is enough to stem the tide of Bamba’s rise is another question. One the Magic will have to answer at the trade deadline.

But the team has two other centers that could see some minutes too.

Khem Birch last year struggled to find minutes in the Magic’s loaded center rotation. When he got his time during Vucevic’s injury, he played admirably and promisingly. He might have been the Magic’s best defensive center last year. He did exactly what the modern center is supposed to do — seal off the paint and protect the rim.

But with Mohamed Bamba waiting in the wings, it seems difficult to find Khem Birch minutes. So it seems Orlando is going to make some hard choices and someone is going to get left out of the rotation. A trade is not likely something Orlando will pursue until closer to the deadline.

The Magic are going to give Bamba his time. And Vucevic is likely going to start the year as the team’s starter and playing the bulk of the minutes. That likely means Birch starts the year playing either out of position or spot minutes as needed. That does not feel ideal for the team.

It is a good problem to have to have too many good players at one position. But with this position in transition and a rookie who likely needs some development time and space to make mistakes, it is less than ideal.