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5 storylines to watch at the Orlando Magic’s Summer League

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 10, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Anthony Black (0) dribbles the ball while defended by Texas A&M Aggies guard Dexter Dennis (0) during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Anthony Black (0) dribbles the ball while defended by Texas A&M Aggies guard Dexter Dennis (0) during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic
Jamahl Mosley kept the Orlando Magic focused on the big picture all season. Helping foster an atmosphere for their growth. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /

5 storylines to watch for Orlando Magic’s Summer League

Any hints of regular season tactics

This team does not have a Paolo Banchero or a Franz Wagner to invert the court at the forward position. This team does not have a versatile playmaker like Wendell Carter to help man the center.

So it is hard to say what from Summer League is actually going to translate to the regular season. Even evaluating Anthony Black and Jett Howard will have some difficulties because of the imbalance in this Summer League roster. So take everything with a grain of salt.

Still, the Magic drill down the basics and foundations of their offensive and defensive principles in their limited time in practice. And so there could be at least a few clues to how the Magic want to defend or what they as an organization and coaching staff want test and work out.

The Orlando Magic have never really deployed the kind of pressure defense Jamahl Mosley was known for with the Dallas Mavericks. Now that he has a lot of guard options and some rim protection and versatility behind him, he may try to increase the ball pressure.

Orlando at least used token ball pressure throughout last season to try to slow down the opposing team’s pace. This was something Cole Anthony really took to. Will this be a permanent strategy? Will Mosley ask his guards to pick up full court with at least some token pressure?

With the Magic likely to go small, how much switching will the team do? Are they going to be aggressive and switch every position? Are they going to try trapping?

Offensively, how much does having so few bigs on the roster mean for the team’s spacing? Could the Magic try more 5-out sets with their lineup, especially if D.J. Wilson ends up starting at center?

It will be hard to say what is permanent and what is not from Summer League. It is all just conjecture at this point. But these games will give some clues to what the Magic are thinking and the kind of team they want to be when they tip back off in October.

Next. Orlando Magic should be all-in on In-Season Tournament. dark

This is the time for experimentation. And so we will see what the Magic ultimately decide to do and who they will be this season.