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5 Orlando Magic players to watch at NBA Summer League

By Philip Rossman-Reich

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 30: Jules Bernard #1 of the UCLA Bruins handles the ball against Franz Wagner #21 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half in the Elite Eight round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 30, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 30: Jules Bernard #1 of the UCLA Bruins handles the ball against Franz Wagner #21 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half in the Elite Eight round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 30, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic Players to watch at Summer League

The Rookies

Every Summer League is about the rookies. It is the first taste those players get of their new coaching staff, some of their new teammates and playing in the NBA in general. Because of the delayed NBA season, for rookies across the league, this is also their first time playing 5-on-5 organized basketball since March or earlier.

Jalen Suggs noted during this introductory press conference that he had not played an unrestricted game of 5-on-5 since the NCAA Tournament finished up in late March and early April. Franz Wagner may have not played since his team bowed out in the Elite Eight.

All this is to say that rookies might have a bit of a steeper learning curve when they take the floor for the first time next week.

Still, the most excitement the Magic have from these Summer League games is to see just how they can use their new toys.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

Suggs entered the draft as one of the premier players after averaging 14.4 points per game and 4.5 assists per game in 28.9 minutes per game. Those feel like modest numbers. But he also had five games of 20 or more points and 15 games of 15 or more points. Gonzaga played in a lot of blowouts and had a lot of balance, shifting how Suggs’ numbers look.

What the Magic will want to see from Suggs during Summer League is flashes of his scoring ability. They want to see him get to the paint and finish at the rim and how he fits into the offense generally with R.J. Hampton and Cole Anthony flanking him on the wings.

Orlando will almost certainly begin implementing the kind of style it wants to play as new coach Jamahl Mosley takes the reigns for at least the first part of Summer League. And so the team will want to see how he fits into that equation.

The ad hoc nature of Summer League will also be a test of the team’s overall versatility and adaptability.

That seems to be a big reason why the team drafted Franz Wagner. The (still listed at) 6-foot-9 forward was known for his defensive versatility and off-ball movement at Michigan. He averaged 12.5 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Orlando will want to see how he plugs in with a group that is full of players he will largely play with when the season begins.

All rookies will have their ups and downs even in Summer League. Most important of all, the team needs to see signs they are progressing and understanding the NBA game as a jump start to their preseason prep.