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3 players who can help the Orlando Magic’s defensive malaise

By Luke Duffy

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: Goga Bitadze #35 of the Orlando Magic grabs a defensive rebound in the first half of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Amway Center on February 25, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Julio Aguilar/2023 Julio Aguilar)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: Goga Bitadze #35 of the Orlando Magic grabs a defensive rebound in the first half of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Amway Center on February 25, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Julio Aguilar/2023 Julio Aguilar) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 03: Jalen Suggs of the Orlando Magic brings the ball up court against the Charlotte Hornets. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 03: Jalen Suggs of the Orlando Magic brings the ball up court against the Charlotte Hornets. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

3 players to help Orlando Magic out of their defensive malaise

2. Jalen Suggs

Guard Jalen Suggs is the perfect player to have on this list because it is clear he has a long-term future with the organization as things stand.

He is having an underrated second season after a poor rookie outing, and on any given night he looks like the kind of player that opponents hate to come up against.

He hounds people, gets back in transition and is getting better at switching when it is required, but really it is the on-ball defending that is already impressive and has a chance to be special.

The Orlando Magic currently are only marginally better off defensively when Suggs is on the court (112.4), but unlike Harris or any of the other role players on this roster, Suggs is also getting better offensively.

The 30.6 percent he is shooting from deep is ugly, but he is taking 3.6 attempts per night. Much better reading than last year, when he somehow attempted 4.1 and made 21.4 percent of them.

Suggs looks like he is going to be the guy who guards an opposing team’s best guard, and also stretches the court with a 3-point shot that will eventually keep people honest.

The Magic’s smaller version of what Marcus Smart does for the Boston Celtics? We’re not there yet, but the more minutes Suggs plays, the better the Magic are going to be on the defensive end.