The Orlando Magic don’t seem to make sense. From a team-building standpoint they continue to throw pennies at their backcourt and invest money, picks and resources into the big man positions. With Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic in tow the team drafted a power forward in 2017 (Jonathan Isaac), a center in 2018 (Mohamed Bamba) and a combo big in 2019 (Chuma Okeke).
They went out in free agency and signed a nominal power forward Al Farouq-Aminu.
Perhaps the biggest reason this team doesn’t make sense is because their best player is Nikola Vucevic, a special offensive player on offense who stretches defenses to the point of breaking while still attacking the glass. Defensively he fails to defend the rim at a high level, the traditional role for a center.
His shot versatility makes it possible to play two power forwards alongside him in ultra-big defensive lockdown units.
The Magic may not have been expecting this leap from Vucevic, intending to let him walk in free agency, but he forced their hand with a breakout All-Star campaign and the team’s first playoff berth since Dwight Howard left town. His offensive game should age well; can he improve his skill level so players such as Marc Gasol cannot shut him down?
Looking ahead: Aaron Gordon held this spot a year ago and he could regain it with a bounce-back year. Jonathan Isaac is talented and versatile and defensively could be the force Vucevic is on offense.
As a Hail Mary, don’t completely sleep on Markelle Fultz; if the former first overall pick can figure out his shoulder and shot issues, the talent is still there for an incredible talent at point guard.