An intriguing 3-team trade proposition featuring the Miami Heat

Orlando Magic outlook

Having reached the playoffs last season for the first time since 2012, the Orlando Magic were naturally aiming this season to take the next step in their gradual progression up the Eastern Conference standings. However, having started with a mediocre 12-17 record, the Magic’s outlook may need to be reassessed.

In an overall sense, the Magic are solid this season on one end of the floor, ranking 12th in defensive rating, but their 25th-ranked offensive efficiency mark is certainly holding them back.

And while the absence of All-Star center Niklola Vucevic for several weeks with an ankle injury did not help with their early win-loss record, it’s been the lack of progress from several younger players that has particularly frustrated head coach Steve Clifford. Most notably, its been the overall regression from forward Aaron Gordon that has been most costly.

Now in his sixth season after being chosen No. 4 overall in 2014, Gordon has simply not made the leap many were expecting. In 31.4 minutes per game, Gordon is shooting a career-low 40.6 percent from the field, with his 29.4 percent return from 3-point range a step back from the progress he had made over the past two seasons.

Another player who has taken a step back this season is swingman Terrence Ross. One of the more explosive bench scorers in the league last season, Ross has been a huge disappointment this season, with his 3-point shooting clip dropping from 38.3 to 32.9 percent.

Such has been his drop in production, that Ross has played in 30-plus minutes just twice this season, having done this on 20 occasions last season when he averaged a career-high 15.1 points per game.

While the early performances of Gordon and Ross are clearly concerning, they are still just 24 and 28 respectively, and have plenty of time on their side should they find a home.