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Orlando Magic: 3 big questions heading into 2019-20

By Luke Duffy

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 7: The Orlando Magic huddle up during a timeout during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 7, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 7: The Orlando Magic huddle up during a timeout during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 7, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic
(Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Can they be a top 5 defensive team?

In their first year under coach Clifford, the Magic made huge strides defensively. They finished eighth in efficiency during the regular season, with a rating of 107.6. This was always the plan, with guys like Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba drafted knowing that they would be able to contribute defensively almost immediately.

With the organization returning the same group and adding another defensive-minded veteran in Aminu, the goal has to be to get into the top five in this category. That would make them elite in this area, and would surely lead to more wins next season.

Thankfully for the Magic, there is no reason to believe that this won’t happen. Bamba looks to have added considerable muscle to his frame this offseason, while Isaac will return more experienced as well. Aaron Gordon has become the team’s best two-way player and will be even more comfortable in that role next season.

He was the one Magic player to come out of their five games first-round series loss to the Toronto Raptors with his reputation enhanced. Gordon did as good a job as anybody has in trying to keep Kawhi Leonard quiet while chipping in offensively too. Alongside Bamba and Isaac, they form a potent group.

https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1110354052909400064

The key to rising up the defensive rankings, however, comes from having consistency in that area for 48 minutes, with the Magic now more equipped than most to do this. They brought back Michael Carter-Williams, whose addition late in the regular season was a spark defensively at the point guard position.

They know what they are getting in Aminu, and Khem Birch — re-signed for two years, $6 million — will continue to be an overlooked X-factor here. He runs the floor and protects the paint brilliantly, and almost always gives his teammates a boost when he checks in. Even Vucevic, not known for his defending, was better last year as the Magic had a rating of 106.1, his best number in three seasons and an encouraging sign for this team going forward.

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