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Orlando Magic: Grading Aaron Gordon’s 2019-20 NBA season

By Luke Duffy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 6: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic looks on in the fourth quarter during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on March 6, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 132-118. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 6: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic looks on in the fourth quarter during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on March 6, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 132-118. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Aaron Gordon’s final grade for the Orlando Magic

Gordon was enigmatic in 2019-20, and it led to some frustration among fans. He clearly has the ability to do more, and has shown this plenty of times before. He is known more for his dunking and off the court musical exploits at this moment than for anything he’s ever done in a Magic uniform.

That is a problem. Yet despite this if you mention trading him then many of the same fans who expect more from Gordon are quick to shoot this idea down. The organization has been burnt before, most painfully in allowing Victor Oladipo to leave, where he blossomed into an All-Star elsewhere.

Gordon may never get to that level, but he still shows enough to make getting rid of him the kind of move that could come back to haunt the Magic. On his night he is capable of giving the team 20+ points and keeping players to the calibre of LeBron James quiet. Even on an off night, Gordon still typically plays to a high level defensively.

It is just a shame that there are more of these off nights than on, and that it has come to be expected of him. The Magic aren’t likely to make any big trades this offseason to improve. It has to come from within. Point guard Markelle Fultz is the one player who has been earmarked to do this, but the same should be expected of Gordon.

He is a lottery pick who the Magic paid to keep around and so far has yet to take them to the next level. He is capable of doing so, but it is going to take a lot more from the player. Next season Gordon figures to have stiffer competition from within the roster as well, which hopefully lights a fire under him.

There is still a lot to like about Gordon’s game, and some time yet to figure out how to get the best  out of him. But in his sixth season, this felt like a year that kind of went by without many highs or lows. It just happened. That’s not the first time this has been the case, and that is a worry for the future.

Grade: C+

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