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Orlando Magic: Will continuity push them to the top in 2019-20?

By Luke Duffy

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 03: Aaron Gordon #00 Evan Fournier #10 Nikola Vucevic #9 and Terrence Ross #31 all listen to head coach Steve Clifford of the Orlando Magic during the final minutes of the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on March 03, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Magic 107-93. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 03: Aaron Gordon #00 Evan Fournier #10 Nikola Vucevic #9 and Terrence Ross #31 all listen to head coach Steve Clifford of the Orlando Magic during the final minutes of the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on March 03, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Magic 107-93. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Best-case scenario

A lot could potentially go right here, and if it does, the Magic could legitimately be the three seed in the East. An All-Star nod for Gordon and a return to the game for Vucevic would be a start, while it would be great to see Isaac take another leap too.

That would also bump their team’s defensive numbers up, and ideally getting Birch on the court as often as possible (not in garbage time situations) would help in that area as well. Aminu and Ross bring consistency on both ends to their bench, and Fournier comes back from a summer in China firing on all cylinders.

Best of all would be seeing Fultz not only suit up on opening night, but actually be contributing in meaningful ways before Christmas. Not only would it silence the doubters, of which there are currently a lot, but it would engage the fanbase even more and continue to help the product on the floor.

The ceiling is much higher for the Magic than most currently believe, and they are getting a lot of love from some national media outlets as well. If it all goes right, they could be one of the surprise packages of the season for the second year in a row. That is not easily done.

Worst-case scenario

Just as scary is what happens if this doesn’t break right for the Magic, given how long it has taken them just to get back to this point. Fultz might not work out, and even that isn’t among the worst propositions for this organization for the season ahead.

Vucevic could bottom out having gotten paid and seemingly hit his ceiling. He was a non-factor in the playoffs and given how the offense is built around him, that could very well happen again. A poor season and he will be hard to shift for the remaining three years of his deal that while not ridiculously big, will still be hard to shake.

Gordon might never reach All-Star level and instead, could exist as a complementary piece. This is fine, but it also means the Magic need to put the right players around him if they want to compete for a championship.

Aminu could take minutes from the younger guys, and Isaac and Bamba aren’t sure things yet either.

Fournier could once again cut a frustrated figure while Augustin regresses hard. Ross is extremely moveable and that could be done if the team panics because of a poor run, but doing so would throw off the chemistry he is so clearly a part of as well. It could all come crumbling down embarrassingly quickly for the Magic, with the potential for a domino effect if one area struggles a real possibility.

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