It is a Magic-al time of the year for the Orlando Magic. Get it?
A time full of questions, comments and concerns. Who? What? Where? When? Why? All of the above.
Lucky for you, the Magic have a ton of those to answer.
However, having a lot of questions is not always a bad thing. It is when those questions go unanswered for around six years where things go downhill.
Orlando is in the first year of its rebuild and knew there would be lumps to take. The Magic have fallen to the bottom of the standings with their worst first-quarter start since the fateful 2004 season that included a 19-game losing streak.
The Magic have had plenty of positive signs. But overall the team has shown its youth and its need to improve its talent as this rebuild begins.
The first quarter of the season has been that much of a mixed bag, even with the lowered expectations for the season.
The Orlando Magic’s first quarter to the season was something of a mixed bag as the team struggled to cement its identity. The next 20 games will be about making progress and eyeing the team’s future.
Now that this roster has had some time on the floor, there are a few key points the Magic will need to address going into the second quarter of the season. The team will have to continue refining its identity and defining who it wants to be on the court while beginning to prepare for the future beyond the 2022 season off it.
With the trade deadline set for Feb. 10, 2022, the Magic find themselves in an in-between position.
They may have too many young players — a good problem to have — to advance the team further in the short term. But they also have decisions to make on some key players that will eat into their long-term flexibility.
At this point, the Magic should be focused on development and identity and just that.
That being said, here are five questions heading into the second quarter of the season that the Magic will need to consider.
5 questions for the Orlando Magic’s second quarter
What should the Orlando Magic do with Gary Harris and Terrence Ross?
Coming into the season, the idea was that Gary Harris and Terrence Ross would be used as potential trade pieces because they were both veterans on the young roster and their contracts were ripe for a trade to a contender.
Harris’ contract expires at the end of the season. Ross has an additional year left on his contract, which might make him more valuable to teams trying to contend.
However, both guards are having a down season this year.
Harris has played 20 games for the Magic which just about matches the 20 games he played for the Magic last season. In 25 minutes last year, Harris averaged 10.2 points per game, shot 36.4-percent from three and shot 87.5-percent from the stripe on 2.4 attempts per game.
In the team’s first 21 games, Harris averaged just 5.9 points per game while shooting 21.4-percent from beyond the arc. It was an extremely poor start for the veteran guard as he continued to deal with some nagging injuries and find his role on the team.
If the Magic are looking to trade Harris, he is far from his career 2018 season.
Harris has started to turn the corner of late, scoring in double figures in the five games since to up his average to an even 8.0 points per game for the season.
Ross is similarly having a noticeable drop in production. In almost 25 minutes per game, Ross is averaging 10.2 points, 30.2-percent from three and 39.6-percent from the field.
Last season, which was one of Ross’ better seasons, in almost 30 minutes per game, he averaged 15.6 points, 33.7-percent from behind the arc and shot 41.1-percent from the field.
If the Magic are looking to shop Harris and Ross, the chances are looking slim on getting a big return.
Championship contenders like the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns or Golden State Warriors already have serviceable veterans who are playing well. They would be hard-pressed to trade for the veteran guards and give up what limited young players or draft picks they have.
In all likelihood, the Magic will most likely be only able to move one of them. Ross is the better bet because of his slightly more manageable contract ($13 million per year with an extra year at that) compared to Harris’ hefty $19 million expiring deal. Remember the Magic only got a trade exception and a second-round pick for Evan Fournier at least year’s deadline.
5 questions for the Orlando Magic’s second quarter
Should the Orlando Magic be active at the Trade Deadline?
The short answer is no. The return for any of the Orlando Magic’s tradable players would not be particularly worth it in the long run.
Robin Lopez, Gary Harris and Terrence Ross could raise a few eyebrows closer to the deadline for teams in need of some veteran help. But for now, it seems like the market is not focused on them.
The only other player who might be on the table is Mo Bamba, who did not get a contract extension in the offseason and may not be a player the Magic are willing to bring back in restricted free agency. It is not exactly clear what the team’s plans are for Bamba. The trade deadline may be a small clue on the team’s intentions with him.
The safe bet is the Magic do not look to move any of their young players. This includes their 2022 first-round draft pick, which could land them Chet Holmgren or Paolo Banchero. Orlando will likely continue to use this season to evaluate young talent and leave any heavy lifting in shaping the roster for the offseason.
Perhaps if R.J. Hampton or Mo Bamba start to show enough where teams are willing to call, then the Magic could consider listening to deals.
Orlando is more likely to use its empty cap space and expiring contracts as a third team in a bigger trade. With the Indiana Pacers pondering a restart and the potential for Ben Simmons or Damian Lillard to change teams increasing, the Orlando Magic could be a third-team facilitator at the deadline.
As of now, the Magic have options, something they never really had before and something they shouldn’t take for granted heading into a decent draft class.
5 questions for the Orlando Magic’s second quarter
Should we be worried about Jalen Suggs?
Jalen Suggs went down with a fractured thumb and will be out for a few weeks — likely until January. But he has not been having quite the season that was expected of him during the draft.
He has shown flashes. But are these flashes enough for a top-five draft pick? Even if it is just his rookie year.
So far, Suggs is averaging 12.3 points per game while shooting just 33.9-percent from the floor and 25.5-percent from beyond the arc.
Jalen Green is similarly struggling with the Houston Rockets but he has no one ahead of him to take minutes. And eventually, rookies need to settle in and show hints of who they will become.
Suggs was starting to do that some — and he certainly showed his defensive acumen which was far advanced for a rookie — before his injury.
There will undoubtedly be some pressure for Suggs when he returns to the court whenever that is. By the time Jalen Suggs returns, Markelle Fultz will likely be back in the rotation. What does that mean for Suggs’ place in the rotation?
It seems as though opinions on Suggs are split especially now that Orlando has to consider how to bring him back after a prolonged absence. Some people like him, even more than Cole Anthony, while others are skeptical of his production.
If anything, Anthony has thrived in his second season after a shaky freshman year interrupted by a few injuries. It is way too early to pull the plug on Suggs. Better yet, the fifth overall pick has a good team around him to foster growth and mature his game.
The question then will be whether Suggs retakes a spot in the starting lineup or if the addition of some new players allows the team to bring Suggs back a bit slower and let him gain confidence with a new bench unit.
5 questions for the Orlando Magic’s second quarter
Is Jonathan Isaac untouchable?
In theory, Jonathan Isaac could be a great player and has shown plenty of positive signs: All-Defense, future Defensive Player of the Year or even sliding into the All-Star game.
But those are lofty goals for a player that has barely seen the floor due to significant injury.
Injuries have been the story of Isaac’s career so far. And there is still not a clear timetable for his return. It should happen though at some point before the midpoint of the season.
But the team Isaac is returning to is very different than the one he left. And it is easy to forget all of the specifics of Isaac’s play.
In five seasons with the Magic, Isaac has played a total of 136 games. He suffered a torn ACL that has sidelined him since August 2020. While his return has been long-awaited, the 136 games warranted a conservative approach to his injury.
Career-wise Isaac has posted 9.3 points per game, an effective field goal percentage of 49.6-percent and a defensive rating of 105.
That does not say much but if you take a look at his per-100 possession numbers during the 2020 season, they are up to par with the league’s best defenders.
Bam Adebayo posted a 106 defensive rating when he was on the floor with 1.9 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. Kawhi Leonard had a 104 defensive rating with 0.8 blocks and 2.6 steals per game. Brook Lopez had a 100 defensive rating with 4.1 blocks and 1.2 steals per game.
All of those players made the All-Defensive team in 2020 and play a similar position as Isaac. The Magic forward, albeit in a significantly smaller sample size put up a 103 defensive rating with 3.9 blocks and 2.6 steals per game.
Numbers do not tell the whole story. But it is clear Isaac has one of the best defensive presences in the game. If he successfully returns, he could be a force to be reckoned with.
That being said, the ACL tear and the extended absence have raised a few questions. The team can only wait so long and Franz Wagner has begun to establish himself as a solid wing forward option and there are more versatile forwards available at the top of this draft.
A players’ best ability is availability and there is no denying Isaac has not been available. He has to prove himself all over again.
Should the Magic be married to the idea that Isaac is a foundational piece to their franchise? His four-year, $70-million contract is movable and almost all 29 other teams are in need of his skills which could warrant a significant return if the Magic consider trading him.
Isaac just has to prove he can play first.
In order to improve, the Magic will need to be realistic with their roster and if an opportunity presents itself, Isaac shouldn’t be untouchable.
5 questions for the Orlando Magic’s second quarter
Will Cole Anthony be the first option even after Markelle Fultz comes back?
The answer should be yes, at least for a couple of weeks.
Cole Anthony is having a Most Improved Player-caliber season and is putting up good numbers. He is clearly the go-to scorer for the Magic even ahead of Terrence Ross.
This season, Anthony is averaging 20.3 points per game, 5.9 assists per game and 36.4-percent shooting from three with an effective field goal percentage of 51.2-percent. It is really impressive and nearly historic numbers for Anthony.
The team has been better with him and he has been the driving force for this team so far.
A backcourt of Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony in theory has all the components to succeed.
Anthony is a better scorer and shooter while Fultz is a better defender and is a better passer. Orlando needs a more reliable second ball-handler and Cole Anthony’s success pairing with Jalen Suggs this season should be a sign they can coexist on the floor.
They both cover for each other’s weaknesses which makes them the most competent backcourt the Magic have had in the past few seasons.
Plus Fultz will not return to the same level he was at last season. He will most likely be on a minutes restriction and since the Magic are not racing for the playoffs, there is no rush.
We could see coach Jamahl Mosley tinker with the guard rotation and put out a few experimental lineups.
But ultimately, Anthony has earned a ton of trust this season. He is scoring efficiently and has been a driving force for the team. Even though he still has plenty to improve upon as a second-year player, Anthony has been the best and most consistent thing from this young team so far this season.