Orlando Magic Daily
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Three Orlando Magic players set to make a big impact next season

By Isaac Ryu

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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic in the game at Staples Center on January 15, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic in the game at Staples Center on January 15, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Aaron Gordon

The former Slam Dunk (People’s) Champion once demanded attention as one of the league’s best young players. His athleticism created new opportunities for him that produced an almost 20-point-per-game season during the 2018 season.

However, since then, Aaron Gordon seems to have faltered a bit. During the 2020 season, Gordon played 62 games and posted 14.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. While his numbers are down, Gordon is still 25.

Gordon did have a small resurgence in the NBA Bubble after his disappointing regular season. He averaged 15.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game and shot the three at 45-percent clip. Although this was through a five-game stretch, the 2018 Gordon is still there and itching to improve.

He showed that in February when he posted his first career triple-double and flirted with a few more. The Magic quietly unlocked a playmaking side of Gordon even they had not seen before.

Additionally, while he did average fewer points, rebounds and assists than previous seasons, Gordon actually had a similar offensive and defensive rating. He also lowered his turnover percentage from 12.3-percent to 10.4-percent and raised his assist rate. While these changes may seem small, they make all the difference for an Eastern Conference team fighting against a revamped Philadelphia 76ers, a rising Atlanta Hawks or a Brooklyn Nets team with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

With more playing time and a couple of months of rest, Gordon will be back and ready to produce. He has the tools to succeed and will now have more playing time to take advantage of those tools.

Barring a significant change in play, Gordon still has a lot to offer and can still be a valuable piece in the Magic’s future plans.

Next. Bubble showed how fragile Orlando Magic can be. dark

Although there have been trade rumors surrounding Gordon for the past few months as he has the most tradeable contract on the team, the Magic will go into the season with Gordon most likely in their starting lineup.