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Orlando Magic: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 30, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) drives to the basket as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Orlando Magic 139-136 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) drives to the basket as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Orlando Magic 139-136 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Jeff Green (8) dribbles the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Nuggets 105-90. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Going Green

Inking Fournier to a five-year extension was a great move to ensure there’s still room for internal improvement between him, Gordon, Payton and Nikola Vucevic. But why — after trading for Serge Ibaka, no less —  did the Magic feel it’d be prudent to bring Jeff Green aboard and clog up the team’s frontcourt rotation?

To be fair, this contract hardly hurts Orlando for the long-term. It’s only a one-year deal, and even though the $15 million they’re paying him is WAY too much for such an inconsistent player, that money will be off the books next summer.

But with Green playing more of a small-ball 4 role over the last few years, why put yet another hurdle in front of Aaron Gordon race for minutes and growth?

Sure, the Magic could roll with Gordon at the 4 and Ibaka at the 5. But will they? The most likely solution seems like either bringing him off the bench or, even worse, putting Gordon at the 3 to attempt to guard wings with a backline of Ibaka and Vucevic.

Ideally, Green is just intended to be a backup 3 or something. But given all the added depth to Orlando’s frontcourt, Gordon will more than likely have to play some of his minutes at the 3 — and that was before the Bismack Biyombo signing clogged things up even more.

Green averaged 11.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game on .430/.315/.745 shooting splits with the Clippers and Grizzlies last season, ultimately trading one peachy game for a string of disappearing acts over the next 10 — basically, the story of his career.

For a team that wants to make the playoffs, Orlando is simply following in the footsteps of other Green teams, hoping he’d be the missing piece only to realize it was an act of misguided desperation.

Grade: D

Next: Bringing Aboard Biyombo

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