3 Orlando Magic players who will decide the season

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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 14: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Orlando Magic celebrates against the Toronto Raptorsduring the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on February 14, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /

3 Orlando Magic players who will decide the season

1. Markelle Fultz

It has become abundantly clear that Markelle Fultz is the point guard this group needs in order to reach their full potential.

Any discussions about his long-term fit, or how a bigger name like Fred VanVleet may yet usurp him in the lineup this summer, will have to wait until this season is done.

Fultz is clearly having the best year of his career, and he is producing highlight plays on a near-nightly basis at this point.

Markelle Fultz tonight:
18 PTS
10 RBS
9 AST

ORL is 19-14 in their last 33 with Fultz (47 win pace). Elite transition decision-maker, change of pace, feel, & table setting. Excellent athlete, very underrated defender, crazy balance, and a joy to watch tap into that big potential pic.twitter.com/eJcYdDM1LF
— NBA University (@NBA_University) February 14, 2023

13.0 points and 5.5 assists per game are both career highs. But they are numbers that will have to improve if the Magic want to make the Play-in.

In February, Fultz has upped his scoring to 16.5 points per game, but shooting 16.7 percent from deep on over one attempt per game has to change.

The “yips” he experienced earlier in his career are no longer an excuse if this team wants to be as good as we know that it can be.

Fultz, Suggs can be Magic's long-term backcourt. dark. Next

Fultz could do with being more aggressive, but all indicators point to a team that are so much better when he is running the show.

As long as he is at the helm for the remaining regular season games, and if he can reach another level of productivity, then the Magic are in with a real chance at making the Play-in. It starts against the Pistons, and there can be no more slip-ups in their pursuit.