Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic’s depth chart can help team map out future

By Philip Rossman-Reich

The Orlando Magic value versatility and length and that can be seen on their depth chart. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic value versatility and length and that can be seen on their depth chart. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic, Evan Fournier, Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Evan Fournier missed several open shots down the stretch that cost the Orlando Magic against the Utah Jazz. (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Shooting Guard

Evan Fournier – Terrence Ross – Wesley Iwundu – Melvin Frazier

No position may be more volatile for the Orlando Magic this offseason and riper for change than the shooting guard position.

This is where the Magic have the biggest free agent and depth questions — which I should note as we get into the rest of the positions on this depth chart, positional nomenclature gets much more fluid because of the team’s penchant for versatility.

Evan Fournier has had a stellar season for the Magic this year, averaging a career-best 18.8 points per game. He has been the lone player to shoot consistently the entire year. It is fair to say he saved the team’s season during the 11-game stretch Nikola Vucevic was out by increasing his scoring output.

There is a way to play with Evan Fournier in the Magic’s current set up. But it has undoubtedly been a struggle. He seems to prefer playing at a slower pace and holding the ball to set himself up rather than playing in a free-flowing offense.

Fournier being one of the primary attacking options for the team is among the things that seem to put a ceiling on the team’s potential. Fournier is probably not a go-to guy in the playoffs although he remains a very nice player.

It is still really uncertain what Fournier will do with his player option this summer. It is hard to see him getting more than the $17.1 million he would be owed next year if he stays with the team. But he could also be the top free-agent wing on the market.

More than likely, Fournier has a lot more value to the Magic than anyone else. There are not any clear options to replace Fournier on the market that the Magic can afford — even if the Magic do not retain Fournier.

What the Magic do at shooting guard is likely the big question for the entire offseason.

Terrence Ross is certainly capable of starting when the time calls for it. But it feels like the Magic would prefer to run him with second units where they can unleash a bit more of his chaotic shot-making on second units. It helps balance the lineups — something Steve Clifford is always seeking.

Wesley Iwundu has proven he can play as a back-end rotation player when he is given the time and the string of games to get into some rhythm. He will be a restricted free agent this offseason. The Magic could well look to keep him on a cheaper contract and keep him in something of the same role.

Orlando has not really given Melvin Frazier much of a chance. It is hard to see the team bringing him back next year unless his slow development has been part of the team’s plan and they keep him on a relatively minor contract.

Undoubtedly there is a hole at this spot in one way or another. It seems likely the Magic could look to draft a shooting guard-capable player to help bolster this part of the lineup or acquire one in a trade to help replace Fournier if he leaves in free agency.

The Magic have some decent players at this spot but there is a lot of uncertainty. And fewer players who could fill it from the small forward spot moving down.