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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Training Days

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 24: Jonathan Issac #1 of the Orlando Magic poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 24, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 24: Jonathan Issac #1 of the Orlando Magic poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 24, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Terrence Ross, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors
Terrence Ross, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors /

What is the biggest position battle to watch in training camp?

Burnley: I am going to be watching how coach Steve Clifford decides to sort out the 2-5 spots. It is really unclear where players like Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross will play, whether Jonathan Isaac will start, whether Aaron Gordon plays the 3 or the 4 and what we are going to do with Mohamed Bamba, Khem Birch, and Nikola Vucevic. Pretty much every spot on the roster besides point guard is shaping up to be a mess.

Palmer: To be completely honest I do not think there are going to be any intense position battles in camp. I believe that if the Magic go with a nine-man rotation, it will be D.J. Augustin, Evan Fournier, Jonathan Isaac, Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic, Jerian Grant, Jonathon Simmons, Terrence Ross and Mohamed Bamba. If they go with a 10-man rotation, which is probably more likely given Steve Clifford’s tendencies, then you can add Jarrell Martin into the mix. I guess some people would say that Jonathan Isaac, Terrence Ross and Jonathon Simmons will fight for the last starting spot. But I believe Isaac already has that locked up.

Rossman-Reich: I am watching the battle at small forward — specifically the battle between Jonathon Simmons and Terrence Ross. I think we all assume Jonathan Isaac will take over the starting spot when he is ready. That may be soon or it may be later on in the season. But Ross and Simmons represent a bit of a mystery for the team. Ross was injured almost all of last season and Simmons missed the entire summer with a wrist injury. It is not clear just how much they are going to provide immediately. Orlando certainly will need something from both to be successful.

Racine: The biggest position battle going battle to watch in training camp is at point guard. It is the team’s biggest weakness going into the season. D.J. Augustin is projected to be the starter, but a strong preseason by Jerian could earn him the starting position.