2022 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Chuma Okeke will carve a more consistent role

The 2021 season threw a lot of the Orlando Magic’s young core into the fire.

Chuma Okeke was no exception as he battled injuries and inconsistent roles throughout the year. It was something coach Steve Clifford lamented. The team’s plans of bringing Okeke along slowly in his first season after recovering from a torn ACL got tossed out the window.

Chuma Okeke was supposed to be the forward off the bench behind Aaron Gordon. Clifford wanted to focus the versatile forward at playing power forward to keep his responsibilities simple.

But the unforgiving season would eventually force Okeke into the starting lineup and to different positions. He played plenty of small forward before the coaching staff wanted him playing more athletic players and even some shooting guard, where the team could not practice him.

Okeke got thrown right into the fire. And despite multiple injuries, Okeke showed flashes regardless of rough stretches.

It was a solid, if not spectacular rookie season for Okeke. One that showed tons of promise for what he can still become. And generated at least some excitement for how he would grow heading into his second year.

Chuma Okeke had a solid rookie season for the Orlando Magic are he recovered from a torn ACL before his draft. He showed enough signs to keep growing and building with the team into his second season.

He averaged 7.8 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game in 45 games (including 19 starts). He shot 41.7-percent from the floor and 34.8-percent from deep. He posted a 49.2-percent effective field goal percentage and a 51.1-percent true shooting percentage.

Those are not the performances that jumped off the page. But that is the expected ups and downs from a rookie.

He had plenty of standout performances through the course of the season.

He scored 22 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out four assists and picked up two steals in a narrow loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in the wake of the trade deadline. He also shot an efficient 9 for 15 from the field and 4 for 6 from beyond the arc.

This game displayed potential on both ends of the floor.

There were plenty of other moments too.

In a win over the Golden State Warriors, Okeke scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds. But his three 3-pointers were key to the team’s win as he hit two big shots in the fourth quarter. He added another 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting in the Orlando Magic’s upset win over the LA Clippers. He had 17 on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting during the team’s win against the Phoenix Suns.

It felt like in big games, Okeke showed up and came up with big shots and big plays.

Going into next season, Okeke is expected to take on a bigger role than last season. Okeke will have to find a way to stay consistent. With the revamped roster, Chuma Okeke is expected to be the starting forward next to Jonathan Isaac — and step in for Isaac when he has to miss games with his own ACL recovery.

There is hope in Okeke’s future to becomes a strong two-way player. Chuma Okeke has received high praise from teammates already being regarded as a mini Kawhi Leonard.

The numbers show this too.

Orlando Magic

According to Basketball Index, Okeke recorded 1.5 steals per 75 possessions, placing him in the 94th percentile, and 3.2 deflections per 75 possessions, putting him in the 86th percentile. That is at least some sign of his defensive activity.

While many of the catch-all defensive metrics do not like Okeke — perhaps a product of the team’s overall poor defense — his Defensive RAPTOR came out to +1.7, putting him in the 81st percentile.

That is at least a start. It is enough to build around and begin.

But growth has to be the next step.

To consider the season a success, Okeke must continue to play the high-level defense he displayed last season.

He seemed to always be in the right spot and create transition opportunities by disrupting the defensive end of the floor. It was similar to what Jonathan Isaac brings defensively.

Okeke also needs to continue to improve his on-ball defense, which he improved upon as the season went on. There is no concern for Okeke on the defensive end of the floor, instead, Okeke will have to improve on the offensive side of the ball.

The good news there is he also had plenty of strong indicators offensively too.

He hit 39.8-percent of his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers and 35.3-percent of his above-the-break 3-pointers, placing him in the top third of the league in each. He rated in the 63rd percentile for 3-point gravity too, according to Basketball Index.

On the offensive side, Okeke will have to make strides if the Magic want to find success this upcoming season. Okeke had a limited role throughout the year as a catch-and-shoot player.

However, as the season went on, Steve Clifford trusted Chuma Okeke to make plays. Okeke has to find a way to consistently shoot the ball as he needs to improve his overall shooting percentage from the previous season of 41.7-percent.

Being a threat offensively will create new opportunities for Okeke. Okeke makes the right play, whether it be a pass or attempt to score. So as he becomes more effective on the offensive end, it will make the Magic more versatile offensively.

Okeke has the feeling he will be able to improve and take strides to get better on both ends of the floor. Okeke is sound fundamentally which creates more reason to believe he will take the next step in his development.

Okeke is not the go-to guy but will be important for the Magic. Okeke is a strong defender and is improving offensively, so once he smooths out the edges, Okeke will be a key to unlock Orlando’s future.

It should be an exciting second season no matter what role the Magic have in store for him.