1. Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
Aaron Gordon may have averaged 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game on 33.6 percent shooting from deep last year, but despite all of those representing career highs, there’s a difference between putting up big numbers on terrible teams and actually being a franchise star.
After investing $80 million in him over the summer, the Orlando Magic are counting on Gordon to make that leap in 2018-19. He’ll have a new coach to learn from, a new seven-footer to help protect the rim and a more crowded frontcourt to deal with than ever before.
With all that being said, there should be no mistakes about Gordon’s status as Orlando’s best player and designated power forward. No more experiments at the 3 (if anything, Jonathan Isaac should play there) or qualms about whether he can be a two-way star. The Magic are paying him like one, and should be expecting their first All-Star since Dwight Howard even if the playoffs are still probably out of reach.
After watching Tobias Harris and Victor Oladipo flourish elsewhere (with Mario Hezonja possibly following suit soon), the Magic decided to commit to Gordon. Heading into this fifth season, the 23-year-old should expand his game by becoming a go-to option on offense, showing his red-hot 3-point shooting at the start of last year was no mirage and chaperoning an improved defense.