Orlando Magic: Is building around Aaron Gordon the answer?

The Orlando Magic have quandary on their hands that could determine the future of their franchise. Do they give Aaron Gordon a max deal? Or let him walk?

Aaron Gordon really only had one job to do last season. After three years of subpar play, Gordon came ready to ball in a contract year, averaging a career high in almost every statistical category: Points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, 3-point percentage and minutes.

He has earned, in many eyes, the opportunity for a max contract. At 22 years old, Gordon is already considered one of the most athletic players in the league and a rising star with a higher ceiling to improve.

The question remains, however: How high is that ceiling? He readily improved his jump shot this season and also his ability to create for himself. He has become the best player on a beleaguered Orlando Magic team that desperately could use some star power. However, can he continue to improve in every facet the way he has?

My one question is, can his shot improve even more? In a league that is rapidly shifting away from interior play, Gordon has done a great job of adapting. He poured in 115 triples last season, by far his career high, and maintained his already high field goal percentage at 43.4 percent.

As a player that will be making $100 million-plus next year, can he take that to the next level and become a true outside threat? His stroke does indicate improvement every year he’s played in the league, which is definitely a good sign. His inside-outside ability is tantamount to the Magic’s success moving forward, but I would like to see that 3-point mark go up.

Outside of the pretty stuff, Gordon also has to improve on the defensive end as well. At 6’9″ and 220 pounds, he has the build to bang inside with other forwards and he has the athleticism to guard 2-4 on the floor.

However, his defensive rating this season (109) was the worst of his career. Whether that was a sign of a team effort or individual play is tough to judge, but that number needs improvement for sure. Gordon has a high motor and seems to want to play defense, but he’s sort of a tweener on that end. Seeing that shored up will be big moving forward.

More from Orlando Magic

• The most exciting NBA team you won’t see on national TV this season
• 5 NBA teams on the rise that will surprise everyone in 2023-24
• Ranking the 10 championship-less NBA teams by closeness to title
• Orlando Magic draft odds: What are the chances of landing the #1 pick?
• Franz Wagner has smashed the sophomore slump for the Orlando Magic

The thought does arise in situations like this, however, when giving someone a max deal: Does this make them the No. 1 option on your team? Can Gordon shoulder that burden moving forward?

Seeing Gordon as the No. 1 option was probably what the Magic envisioned for him when they drafted him in 2014. His growth has been a welcome evolution for Orlando and he definitely has the ability and work ethic to be the main option for a team. He will hopefully continue to improve, given good health, and given his newfound ability to create for himself, that scoring and shot-making can go up.

I am afraid that Gordon being “the guy” for Orlando does not make the Magic an enticing free agency destination, however. It’s totally not his fault, but despite potentially giving Gordon the max, the Magic need to rebuild around him for this to work. I’m sure Gordon wants to win now and not be a part of of a long rebuilding process. His presence gives the Magic a potential young star, but also an expensive one and a guy who’s not the “sexiest” pick for No. 1 on a franchise.

All doubts aside, the fact that Gordon is only 22 with four years of pro experience under his belt and an improving game are all positive signs. Gordon is a restricted free agent, so the Magic can match any offer. He can be a cornerstone of a budding franchise with future cap space, a new coach, (hopefully) good draft picks moving forward and some veteran talent around him.

The Magic definitely have a decision to make whether to match any contract that will for sure come his way. In my opinion, I think Gordon is definitely someone to build around given the fact that he’s tall, athletic, can potentially stretch the floor and has a super high motor.

Next: 5 biggest takeaways from the 2018 NBA Finals

With the sixth overall pick this year, they can get some young talent around him and also have cap room to make moves as well. It’s going to take a lot, but I could see Aaron Gordon in the blue and white for years to come.