Five biggest questions facing Orlando Magic in training camp

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SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 13: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 13, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Point Guard Problems

Orlando Magic fans were likely most disappointed with the team’s inability to draw in a consistent point guard to the roster. The team has a shaky point guard situation with a solid player at starter and two unproven young players behind him.

D.J. Augustin performed admirably last year after the Elfrid Payton trade, averaging 12.8 points and 5.0 assists per game with a 59.7 percent effective field goal percentage after the All-Star Break. D.J. Augustin can space the floor (absolutely needed for this team) and manage a team effectively.

But his size likely leaves him outside the team’s long-term plans. He is not a good defender and has struggled to put back-to-back good seasons together. That has unfortunately defined much of Augustin’s career to this point.

He can man the station for the Magic in the lineup. But likely the team will be hungry for a new option and to return him to a more comfortable role off the bench.

The options behind him though have just as many question marks.

Jerian Grant has struggled to find his footing in the NBA after he was selected in the first round of the 2015 Draft. Last year he averaged a career-best 8.4 points per game for the Chicago Bulls as he received some more solid playing time. But Grant is not a natural point guard and needs to improve his shooting. It is still unclear exactly what he can provide in the long run.

And then Orlando signed Isaiah Briscoe off their mini-camp roster before Summer League. Briscoe was a hard-driving guard for the Kentucky Wildcats two years ago but struggled to stand out in their crowded backcourt. He nearly made the Portland Trail Blazers last year as one of their final cuts.

Isaiah Briscoe needed to improve his shooting and playmaking. He at least seemed to get the shooting part down after he became a Russian league all-star for a team in Estonia. Briscoe looked impressive in Summer League, especially as a defender. But he still seems to have a lot of his game to round out.

He could very well see minutes if he is better than everyone expects. But the situation for the Magic is not ideal. Orlando will have to win despite these questions at point guard and find a diamond in the rough.

Otherwise, the Magic will have to find a way to cover for some deficiencies — especially defensively — at the position.

Next. Steve Clifford must carve his own path. dark

Not all of these questions will get answered in full during training camp. These storylines likely will carry through for the entire season. And the Magic will have to slowly come up with answers to have a successful season.