Orlando Magic: 5 key players that got away

5. Maurice Harkless

Maurice Harmless actually averaged 8.2 points in 59 games played for the Magic during his rookie season with the team, but his role was restricted in the two years that followed.

Whether as a result of different head coaches coming in or new players emerging, Harmless saw his minutes go from 26 in Year 1 to just 15 in Year 3. His 3-point shooting averaging during his time there (30.9 percent), meant he was a small forward who struggled to stretch the floor.

Many fans weren’t sorry to see him go, although he was only 22 years old when he made the move to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Now in his third season with Rip City, it is fair to point out that not a lot has changed for Harkless either. The 5.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game he’s averaging nowhere near career highs, while his Player Impact Rating (PIE) of 6.1 is the second-lowest mark of his career.

Still, Harkless is the kind of player that would have rounded out the Magic’s bench nicely, and cheaply. This is even more true when you consider the injuries they’ve had.

His defensive rating of 102.7 is the second-lowest mark of his career as well, and he would have been a useful defensive player. This is even more true considering Jonathon Simmons (a player he has some similarities with) is spending more of his time as a starter.

He’s hardly the kind of player the Magic look back on with real regret, but he has yet to hit his prime, and complements the dynamic backcourt of the Trail Blazers well.