Orlando Magic: Top 5 positives from a busy 2017
By Luke Duffy
2. Improvement from within
The Magic may have declined giving Payton and Gordon early extensions, meaning both are restricted free agents in the summer, but both have made giant strides this season.
Gordon should be in the conversation for Most Improved Player, with his 18.9 points, 7.9 rebounds per game and 41.3 shooting percentage from deep all by far career highs.
Payton, on the other hand, has gone about his business with less fanfare, but there’s no question the Magic are a better team offensively when he’s on the court. This is impressive given that he doesn’t have a go-to shot, and his offensive rating of 106.9 is the best mark of his career.
Averaging career highs in almost every major statistical category Aaron Gordon is averaging 18.9 points with a field goal % of 49.9% and a 3 Point % of 41.3%. He’s also averaging a career high 7.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 blocks & steals. RT if he should be an All-Star #NBAVote pic.twitter.com/O3bGtqnXqv
— Be Magic Or Be Gone! (@BeORLMagic) December 31, 2017
There’s no question Gordon will be extended in the summer, although question marks still exist around Payton. Regardless, it has been great to see two lottery picks in their fourth seasons with the team finally begin to show the skills that made the team pick them in the first place.
When coupled with Isaac, and whatever pick the team makes in the 2018 NBA Draft, the outlook for the Magic becomes a lot more optimistic.
Growth from within was one of the key reasons for this, and if 2017 is known as the year it began to click for their young guys when they are contenders down the road, fans will be happy this prolonged rebuild had a positive ending.