Orlando Magic: Best candidates for 2018-19 NBA awards
By Chris Murch
The Orlando Magic aren’t expected to make a lot of noise as a team in 2018-19. However, here are five players that could contend for the annual NBA awards.
Typically, non-playoff teams don’t see a lot of praise or awards come their way. The only player gifted an award last season from a team that didn’t make the playoffs was the Los Angeles Clippers’ own Lou Williams, who won Sixth Man of the Year. He also averaged the most points per game off the bench (22.6) since Ricky Pierce did in the 1989-90 season, so it made sense.
The Orlando Magic, according to everyone and their mothers, are not expected to be a playoff team this season. That makes sense with a supremely young roster, a lack of star power (as of now) and a new head coach in Steve Clifford. The Magic also hold the distinction of being one of the least viewed teams in the league based on recent local and national television ratings. All of this doesn’t bode well come awards season.
However, this Magic team is different from years past and could surprise some people both in the way the team plays and individually. They have a new franchise cornerstone in Aaron Gordon, new stud rookie center in Mohamed Bamba, young up-and-comers like Jonathan Isaac and Jerian Grant, and other talent around them like Jonathon Simmons, Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross.
This is the most talent they’ve had since Dwight Howard left in 2012 and has all the makings of a surprising young team that could win some games. They may not be playoff bound, but don’t sleep on the boys from the Sunshine State.
With that being said, the Magic might actually have some players be in contention for some awards this season. With the defense looking as strong as ever and guys like Terrence Ross and Jonathan Isaac coming off long injuries, don’t be surprised to see some Magic names come up in June of 2019. Let’s look at which players have the best chance at winning each NBA award for the 2018-19 season.