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5 questions the Orlando Magic face in the fourth quarter of the 2022 season

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Franz Wagner is hoping to finish his rookie season strong for the Orlando Magic. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Franz Wagner is hoping to finish his rookie season strong for the Orlando Magic. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards
Cole Anthony has seen a downturn in his clutch play lately as the Orlando Magic struggle to breakthrough. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic: 5 questions for the fourth quarter

What place and role will Cole Anthony carve for himself?

The Orlando Magic probably are not in the spot to make a final decision on any player for their future. Everyone is young enough to give the room to grow and develop. The Magic should not be in the market to trade any of their young players unless the offer is really good.

Still, some of these roles need to get sorted out. The Magic need to put their players in a position to succeed and fulfill the roles they ultimately envision for the players on their roster.

Everyone can see the logjam coming at point guard. And while the team will slow play Markelle Fultz in his return, there are only two starting guard spots available.

And ever since killing it through the first quarter of the season, Cole Anthony has really struggled.

Anthony started the season on a tear averaging 19.6 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game and 5.9 assists per game through the first 16 games of the season. He shot 41.6-percent from the floor and 36.6-percent from beyond the arc.

Someone had to do the scoring. But Anthony was a dynamic scoring option. And Orlando has struggled to have him recreate that spark since.

In his last 27 games, since returning from an ankle injury, he is averaging 15.0 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game and 5.7 assists per game with shooting splits of 36.9/30.8/83.8.

This is the picture of what a good stats, bad team player looks like.

And maybe there was some fool’s gold at the beginning of the season. Figuring out the limitations of his game is important. And Anthony is young enough that he still has plenty of room to grow — his development as a passer has been a big part of this season, although it still remains a weakness in his game.

Anthony might eventually settle in as a sixth man. The scoring he provides would probably be better in smaller doses and as a quick punch off the bench.

Still, there is time to start moving back in the right direction. Anthony finished the season well last season when he got pushed into the starting lineup after the trade deadline — he averaged 15.0 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game and 4.5 assists per game with shooting splits of 41.7/34.8/82.9.

Anthony is a better player than he was then. That is very clear. But there is still a lot of growth he has to go through to get to where he can be and what he seemed to hint at early in the season.

More than anyone, Anthony needs to find that rhythm and spark to finish the season. Because decisions can only be delayed so long. He may find himself playing a drastically different role when next season begins.