The Orlando Magic have returned the same core that finished last season, and their starting lineup for this season reflects that.
If there is an advantage the Orlando Magic have over their rivals this coming season, it is the feeling of continuity that exists on the roster and at the head coach position. Trading for stars is great, and the argument could still be made that this Magic roster needs a shake-up to take the next step.
But for now, this is what they’re working with, and everybody is familiar with one another. Outside of signing Dwayne Bacon and drafting Cole Anthony, the core is the same as the one which closed out a second successive postseason appearance in the bubble.
As a result, the potential for surprises or midseason lineup changes is not as likely as around the league, with head coach Steve Clifford pretty conservative in his approach during his time in charge to this point. He values play defensively sound basketball, something the starters have all bought into in one form or another.
As a result of this it is going to be hard to displace any of them in the starting lineup, but not impossible. Beyond that, there is the potential for a couple of guys to break into the rotation more and have a bigger say in how the franchise performs during the season. Especially with Jonathan Isaac not going to feature at all and Mohamed Bamba still recovering from having Covid-19.
Competition for places in the starting lineup is a great way to ensure a roster stays competitive and sharp, and despite some lean years, it looks like the Magic finally have some depth to be able to do this in 2020-21.
Starting lineup locks
As already mentioned, the amount of continuity throughout the roster means that most of the starting five positions to begin the season have been filled already.
Nikola Vucevic
The obvious place to start, Nikola Vucevic continues to be the face of the franchise. Do fans wish it was somebody else in that position? A cooler, more flashy player? Probably, but for years now Vucevic has put up All-Star level numbers and been the offensive fulcrum from which the Magic have attacked.
This hasn’t always translated to great basketball on that end, but there is one important factor that will help Vucevic this season. The supporting cast around him is getting better. There’s a mix of youth and veterans who in theory should all float around Vucevic, highlighting both his and their own strengths.
Vucevic is good for basically 20 points and 10 boards a night and has been for years now. There is no reason that won’t continue this year. There is also nobody who can come close to replicating what he can do at the center position on the roster, so his position as a starter is safer than anybody else’s.
Aaron Gordon
For years we have waited for Aaron Gordon to finally have that breakout season. Every time, we’re left feeling disappointed. There have been glimpses sure, but that expected leap has yet to come. Now entering his seventh season, there is a real “now or never” feel to Gordon’s career in Orlando.
Despite not yet reaching an All-Star like level, Gordon’s position as a starter is not under serious threat. This is somewhat ironic because perhaps cutting into his playing time somewhat would actually give him the motivation needed to step it up a gear.
Gordon is going to give the Magic, at worst, about 14 points and 6 rebounds this coming year. He will do so while having some good nights shooting it from deep. Defensively he may be their best player (at least until Isaac gets back), and he still retains his explosive athleticism. It would take another player making a huge leap to displace Gordon from this position.
Evan Fournier
This one is perhaps out of necessity, as there is nobody on the roster who can create their own shot quite like Evan Fournier. He has been a source of frustration for years, especially when you consider how good he can be from time to time. The kind of good that would have contending teams looking for his services ahead of a deep postseason run.
In the final year of his current deal, Fournier will be looking to maximize his run in the starting five to get paid next summer. Whether that is in Orlando or elsewhere, and many fans will be hoping it is the latter, there is no doubt that this could work to the Magic’s advantage. A Fournier motivated to be paid is sure to be a productive one.
That ability to create and to get a bucket when needed is something that is scarce throughout the rest of the roster, so for that reason alone, Fournier’s position shouldn’t be under any real threat. The best case scenario is more of the same, just on a higher level and more consistent basis.
Markelle Fultz
It is a great source of comfort for the Magic to know that a long-term solution to the point guard position has been found. Such is the belief that they have in Markelle Fultz, that cult favorite D.J. Augustin was allowed to leave in free agency. Augustin may be past his best, but he was the steady veteran presence who helped the Magic through some trying times.
Fultz was the Magic’s second-best player during their postseason tilt against the Milwaukee Bucks last year, an amazing feat when you consider he started last season with some people wondering how much longer he might be in the league.
A stout individual, he plays the kind of defensive game that coach Clifford loves. That alone ensures him some breathing room as a starter. His passing ability and how he gets into the paint almost at will only bolster his case. Should his shooting improve at all, Fultz will be under no threat here for a long time to come.
Fringe Options
Although most of the starting lineup appears to be set, there are a few players who could force their way into the conversation.
Cole Anthony
Despite the fact that Fultz seems to have the point guard position secured as his own, that is not the only path for Anthony forcing his way into the starting lineup. Much like a pair of guards in Portland who can both operate with and without the ball, Anthony could find himself playing as more of a two-guard in a starting five.
This is the only position currently up for grabs ahead of opening night, with Bacon the favorite to start off in that position. There is an argument to be made for possibly starting Terrence Ross (who is currently injured) and bringing Bacon off the bench for some offensive punch, but that seems unlikely.
So if Anthony can quickly establish himself as the scorer that many believe him to be, then he would be an ideal pairing next to a more defensive-minded guy in Fultz. Both can pass and handle the ball as well. It would also leave Bacon and Ross to come off the bench together, which would also be interesting. Keep an eye on Cole this year, his rookie season could be a good one.
Michael Carter-Williams
A strange choice to put in here perhaps, but the reality is coach Clifford loves what Michael Carter-Williams brings to this roster. Fresh off of signing a two-year deal to remain in Orlando, when it looked like he might be in danger of slipping out of the league, Carter-Williams is one of the key guys who sets the emotional tone for the team.
He’s selfless, defends at a very high level and is not a great offensive player. As a result of his size and length, he can guard multiple positions across the court, which is the key to him ever potentially breaking into the starting lineup. Add in his hustle and grit, and he would definitely bring something to any starting group.
Listed himself as a guard, there is no way he slots in ahead of Fultz, or even Anthony, as a starter. However, if Anthony were to ever replace Fultz in the rotation, or if Fultz got injured, pairing Carter-Williams next to a bigger scoring threat like Anthony would make a lot of sense. The situation would have to be right, but it is not impossible that Carter-Williams gets in.
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.