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Orlando Magic Trade Value Column 2022: Preparing for the next steps

By Philip Rossman-Reich

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Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs has struggled to break through early in his career. But these struggles are not abnormal. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

Orlando Magic Trade Value Column 2022

3. Jalen Suggs (4 years, $30 million, Team Options in 2023 and 2024)

When the Orlando Magic fell to the fifth pick in last year’s NBA Draft Lottery, the fan base was desponded. A year of losing seemed to bring the team no reward. They lost the lottery and lost their chance to start the rebuild. Especially in what many people considered a four-player draft.

That mood changed on draft night when the Toronto Raptors surprisingly took Scottie Barnes with the fourth pick. That is no knock on Barnes, who has turned into a fantastic player so far in his rookie year.

But the elation the fan base felt in getting Suggs was very real. It was easy to say the Magic had just drafted the most talented guard the team has taken in the draft since Anfernee Hardaway. He was certainly the one to give the team the most hope.

Suggs has not been all of that so far. He has struggled to adjust to life in the NBA offensively. His ability to get to the basket has been great, but he has struggled to finish. The game is still slowing down for him.

But all the flashes are there. He has that explosion to get to the basket. And his defense has been pretty advanced for a rookie.

The Magic have promised patience all year and they are not about to abandon their prized rookie. Not when he is still clearly making strides. Even if they are a bit more under the surface.

That star potential does not go away either. One bad season might damper those expectations and change how the franchise and the league view him. But Suggs still has a very high ceiling. And he is going to work hard to improve on the areas where he is still a bit weak.

This has not been the rookie the Magic hoped for from him for sure. He has not had the breakthrough game that really shows his star potential. And even if it is not consistent yet, teams typically have a sense of a player’s ceiling at this point.

Suggs has a lot of work in front of him. But that potential is all still there.