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5 players to watch from the Orlando Magic at Summer League

By Philip Rossman-Reich

TULSA, OK - JANUARY 30: Tulsa Golden Hurricane Guard DaQuan Jeffries (2) during a college basketball game between the Tulsa Golden Hurricane and the Memphis Tigers on January 30, 2019, at the Reynolds Center in Tulsa, OK. (Photo by David Stacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TULSA, OK - JANUARY 30: Tulsa Golden Hurricane Guard DaQuan Jeffries (2) during a college basketball game between the Tulsa Golden Hurricane and the Memphis Tigers on January 30, 2019, at the Reynolds Center in Tulsa, OK. (Photo by David Stacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 13: Erik McCree #21 of the Utah Jazz looks to shoot the ball in a game against the Detroit Pistons at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 13, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

The Orlando Magic will be looking to mine for some talent during Summer League. As the team plays its first game, they have plenty to watch.

The Orlando Magic have already hit Las Vegas.

Coaches Steve Clifford and Pat Delany are putting their young squad through their paces to get some semblance of togetherness and cohesion before they start playing games Friday and getting a closer look at several young players who are fighting for their way into the NBA.

The main story for the Magic at this year’s Summer League is the return of Mohamed Bamba to the court.

The Magic’s 2018 sixth overall pick has been out since Jan. 31 with a fracture to his left tibia. Mohamed Bamba had an up-and-down rookie year, showing plenty of the inconsistencies you would expect from any first-year player.

The Magic improved with a more seasoned Khem Birch stepping in. The expectation is certainly that Bamba will be ready to take on the back-up role and play a whole lot better.

Most of Bamba’s time since the injury has been spent adding strength in the weight room — he says he is up 20 pounds from his playing weight as a rookie — and studying the league in the film room with the coaching staff.

Everyone wants to see how Bamba looks when he actually steps onto the floor. That will give everyone a lot more ease about what his role could be when the team gathers again for training camp.

The Magic will not have their first-round pick this year in Chuma Okeke at Summer League as he continues recovering from his torn ACL. The team’s second-round pick in Melvin Frazier is out too, recovering from surgery. So there is not a lot of main roster intrigue.

Orlando still has one roster spot left to fill. The team has clear needs — especially with shooting — it could look to bolster. And likely the Orlando Magic want to fill out their Lakeland Magic roster and add a couple of two-way players too.

All eyes will be on Bamba this week in Las Vegas. But there are plenty of other intriguing players to keep an eye on as the Magic begin their Summer League play.