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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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2. Will Markelle Fultz contribute?

The surprising run to the postseason was perfect for one Magic player in particular. Markelle Fultz continues to be able to rehab in the shadows, away from the glare of the media and online community who have all taken turns scrutinizing the former first overall pick.

The offseason brought with it a whole host of optimism, however, first with grainy footage appearing to show Fultz shooting on a basketball court and generally looking comfortable moving. Given that fans had so far only seen him in street clothes sitting on the bench, this was a big deal and something to get excited about.

Then Caron Butler — who, it should be noted, shares the same agent as Fultz — stoked the flames by making some bold and exciting claims about his future with the Magic. More recently a video appeared of Fultz dunking and showing no signs of the shoulders issues that have plagued him, ratcheting up the excitement even more.

https://twitter.com/NBACommentate/status/1156397962932707328

But will Fultz contribute much this season? The Magic have a decent fallback plan in D.J. Augustin, who had a career year last year, along with Carter-Williams, but they didn’t draft or make a move for any other point guards when they had the opportunity to. This means they must believe Fultz will suit up to play, as soon as opening night.

He may still play with a minutes restriction, and there is no guarantee he will start to begin with either. But anything the Magic can get from him would be a bonus, especially given what they were able to achieve without him last season.

In many ways, Fultz holds the key to how high this version of the team’s ceiling can be. This is both an exciting and scary proposition. Should he come back and look like a former first overall pick, the Magic could force their way into the conversation for home-court advantage in the first round of next year’s playoffs. It is a huge question that lingers over the organization, one that will be answered soon enough.

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