Orlando Magic’s small forwards show promise but remain unproven

Orlando Magic Small Forward review

3-Point Shooting

Although Terrence Ross was able to pick up the mid-range shooting for Franz Wagner, and match him in their effectiveness of getting to the basket, he needs to be able to help Wagner from the three-point line.

Wagner has some inconsistency in his three-point game, so the bench has to come in and help.

In the 53 games where Wagner shot at least three 3-pointers, he shot 50 percent or more in 17 of those games and 20 percent or less in another 17 of them.

Ross was of no help coming off the bench which was a surprise as he is normally a good three-point shooter.

Ross shot a career-low 29.2-percent from three and made only 1.2 per game, his worst since his rookie year. Regardless of how well Ross is able to attack the basket, his biggest effect will come from beyond the arc. He really needs to have a better three-point shooting season.

If Franz Wagner continues to be shaky from three, and Terrence Ross cannot help out, this is where Caleb Houstan can make the most of his minutes and earn more time on the court.

In college, Houstan shot 35.5 percent from three and had 10 games where he made 3 or more 3-pointers. In those games, he shot an outstanding 58.7 percent.

If he can bring that along with his elite catch and shoot ability from three to the Magic this season then the small forwards on the Orlando Magic will be able to be an even bigger threat from the three-point line this season.

Aside from shooting the three, Houstan averaged 10.0 points per game on 38.4 percent field goal shooting. He is a fantastic finisher and his innate ability to shoot off the catch and shoot creates a lot of situations where he sends defenders flying off the pump fake and gives him easy looks at the rim.

He can also run the floor and get out in transition which fits in perfectly with the style that the Magic’s young core likes to play. If he can bring his gifted scoring abilities as well as work on his shot creation, he can definitely help the Magic’s small forward unit.