Orlando Magic: Starting lineup: Locks, fringe, and potential break-ins

Possible break-ins

There are a couple of intriguing players who could yet break into the starting group for the Orlando Magic by the end of the season.

Chuma Okeke

The Orlando Magic have a lot of belief that Chuma Okeke, after redshirting his rookie season because of an ACL tear, can go on to be a real contributor for them. It was great to see him take to the court in the recent preseason win over the Atlanta Hawks, and he looked comfortable out there.

Okeke’s best chance of making it into the starting group doubles as the worst-case scenario for Gordon which we have already spoken about. If there is one player who has the potential to push Gordon for that spot, it is Okeke. If he can prove to be a solid contributor off the bench from the beginning of the season until March, Gordon could begin looking over his shoulder.

If the Magic also pull the trigger on any potential deal for Gordon, which has long been discussed, then it would clear Okeke’s path to a starting role even more. That’s putting a lot on the young player, but this is a situation worth monitoring as it may end up developing in his favor. Especially with Isaac not around for the year to take minutes from him either.

James Ennis III

It might seem shortsighted to insert James Ennis III into the starting lineup. At 30 he isn’t going to be around if the Magic manage to climb back into contention with the young group they have put together. But Ennis III did also start 18 of 20 regular season games once he signed with the franchise last year, as well as all five playoff games as well.

So if anything Ennis III may be ranked too lowly here. How can you break into a team that you were already clearly a part of? Coach Clifford loves the tenacity which Ennis III plays with, and that hard-nosed, defensive and aggressive style would appear to blend well with the likes of Fournier and Gordon. More passive individuals.

But it would be shortsighted to give him minutes that could go to Okeke, Bacon and even Anthony. That being said, the Orlando Magic can’t hang around this season and want to make it back to the playoffs again. Any run of bad games will see Ennis III inserted into the starting group for the toughness mentioned and his veteran smarts. If anything, we may have him too low on this list in the first place.