Orlando Magic: Why Maurice Harkless Will Be Their Most Improved Player

It was August 2012 when the Orlando Magic traded superstar Dwight Howard in a four-team trade that netted them Maurice Harkless, Nikola Vucevic, Arron Afflalo, Christian Eyenga, Al Harrington and Josh McRoberts.

A year later, they emerged as the clear-cut winners of the trade.

Magic general manager Rob Hennigan did extensive homework to facilitate the trade in which he refused to take back center Andrew Bynum, who has a litany of knee injuries. Instead of taking back Bynum, who missed all of last season, Hennigan replaced Howard with Vucevic, the NBA’s second-leading rebounder from last season.

The Magic also received a starting shooting guard in Afflalo, but the hidden gem at the time was Harkless, who was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers.

At 6’8”, Harkless came into the league last season as one of those raw wing talents which the league is littered with. With most rookies, there’s an adjustment that has to be made transitioning from the college game to the physicality of the NBA game. After the All-Star Game, he really began to flash his potential as a starting small forward, finishing out the last two months of the season averaging 13.4 points a game. His play was more consistent and he seemed much more comfortable in his role with the team.

Harkless has been hard at work this offseason, focusing on improving his ball-handling ability and jump shot. He also plans on sliding over to shooting guard at times this season, according to Alex Kennedy of USA Today. With his length and athleticism, there’s no reason why Harkless cannot make first- or second-team All-Defensive. He has everything NBA scouts look for in perimeter defenders. Talk about a nightmare for opposing guards; imagine Harkless matching up with a team’s best perimeter player and rookie guard Victor Oladipo pestering the point guard the length of the court.

With the Magic looking to draft a Kevin Durant-like talent in Andrew Wiggins out of Kansas next year, it would behoove Harkless to sharpen his offensive repertoire if he wants to remain a starter for the franchise. Wiggins plays small forward and, if drafted by the Magic, will be a day one starter. That would enable Harkless to play the 2, where the veteran Afflalo could be traded to a contender next summer.

At just 20 years old, Harkless has much room to grow as an NBA player. We saw flashes of his potential last season as a rookie. Now in his sophomore season, it is time for him to solidify himself as an elite defender in the league and lock up his future with the Magic.

Expect him to be the team’s most improved player this season.

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