2019 Orlando Magic Season Review: 5 questions for the Orlando Magic’s offseason
Will Markelle Fultz and Mohamed Bamba be healthy and ready to contribute?
What is amazing about the Orlando Magic’s playoff run is that they did it without two of their most promising young players.
When people talk about the Magic’s interesting core and bright future, they are surely talking about Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. But all the mystery for this team’s ceiling and whether this playoff appearance is a blip on the radar or the start of something depends on two young players who have not seen much court action.
There is undoubtedly a lot of talent sitting on the Magic’s bench in street clothes. And both showed promise in their limited playing time this year.
Mohamed Bamba looked every part the rookie as he was learning how to play defense in the NBA. His lack of strength was a known impediment for him and he certainly got muscled around in the league.
He finished averaging 6.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in 16.3 minutes per game before fracturing his leg and missing the final 30 games (right when the Magic turned their season around). Bamba’s advanced numbers were hurt by the poor lineups he played in as the Magic needed some time to figure out their rotations.
Bamba is a natural shot blocker and an improving 3-point and outside shooter. But his game is still incredibly raw. He would have to take an incredible leap in his game to be ready to play starter-level minutes at this point.
Defensively he might be more ready having been through even his limited NBA playing experience. He posted 3.0 blocks per 36 minutes. So he is someone who can hunt for blocks and change shots at the rim.
The Magic will get a better picture of where he is at during Summer League where he seems likely to play. Orlando did a good job keeping him engaged during the playoff run. Coach Steve Clifford praised Mohamed Bamba for studying the league and for his observations in their meetings and film sessions after his injury.
No player though has more mystery about him than Markelle Fultz.
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The former top overall pick has dealt with both injuries and expectation playing for the Philadelphia 76ers that had him relegated to a reserve role that kept him from really going out there and playing. Markelle Fultz was never fully healthy and then a breakdown in communication to diagnose his shoulder injury as thoracic outlet syndrome hampered his development.
The Magic have seemingly been more than willing to be patient with him to let him recover. And his arrival in Orlando during the season was viewed as an encouraging sign of his progress — although it is still unclear how close Fultz is to a return to the court.
The hope has to be he will be ready for training camp. And it is still unclear what kind of player the Magic will get with him.
Before he left the Sixers to deal with his injury, he averaged 8.2 points per game and 3.1 assists per game. That includes a game where he scored 16 points and dished out seven assists.
Even in his injured state, Fultz can get to the basket and create some off the dribble. Both things the Magic desperately missed in the playoffs.
The shooting is obviously still a problem. And his success will be dependent on whether he can shoot comfortably and effectively. The truth is when Fultz returns, they will have to treat his development like he is a rookie — similar to how they treated Isaac this year.
With limited cap room, the addition of Bamba and Fultz to the rotation is probably the biggest acquisition the Magic can make. They are big pieces to add to the team. And they are already on the roster.