The Orlando Magic were a much improved outfit in 2018-19 and Aaron Gordon deserves as much credit for that as anybody else.
Heading into 2018-19, not many people gave the Orlando Magic much of a chance of doing anything during the regular season. They were seen as a team most likely to finish below .500 once again and definitely not in a position to make the postseason.
Instead the Magic accomplished both of those goals, and they added a southeast division title for good measure. Behind an improve defensive structure, thanks in large part to head coach Steve Clifford, they were able to hang with opponents nightly.
Something that had not been possible before as they leaked points to great and average teams alike.
Forward Aaron Gordon was a key part of this, his personal improvement coinciding with the rise of the organization. Still only 23, this was the season where we began to see what he is capable of long-term for the Magic, and it was mostly positive.
That feeling continued throughout their brief foray into the playoffs too, with Gordon relishing that experience seemingly more than anybody else.
The Magic know what they have in Gordon now, and while the prospect of what he could be is no longer exciting and off in the distance, they have a valuable player on their hands.
How much better Gordon can ultimately get remains to be seen, but his 2018-19 season in which he figured out who he is and what he can do for this organization was hugely important for both player and organization.