Orlando Magic: 3 X-factors ready to seize their opportunity

2. Aaron Gordon

It might be the most talked-about storyline on the Magic’s roster in the last five years. When will Gordon finally take that consistent leap into being the face of the franchise for the Magic? This season so far has been more of the same, great displays like the one against the Knicks, surrounded by less dominating games from 25-year-old.

14.9 points and seven rebounds a night on the early goings so far is, fine. Gordon is also the best defender on the roster and typically plays to a higher level on that end than he does offensively on any given night. At this point when we have come to accept that Gordon likely won’t ever be the guy who can lead a franchise.

But as we know now, he doesn’t have to be. Both Isaac and Fultz look primed to slot into that role once they return, while Vucevic is making a case to be an All-Star for a second time this year. But until those guys return, and knowing that the Magic are going to lose more games than they win, Gordon has the kind of opportunity that existed when he first got drafted.

This is now being looked at as kind of a tanking year, even if the Magic themselves aren’t going to say as much and if head coach Steve Clifford doesn’t operate that way. But the sad reality is the depth is no longer there (as this box score clearly illustrates), and the losses are going to come.

So now Gordon gets to play in a situation with less pressure, which won’t have been what he wanted of course, while also having the benefit of being seven years into his career. Whatever about his trajectory and if he has lived up to the billing, Gordon is a smart and willing player. Effort like that is going to increase his value to the organization for when others return. It starts with making the most of his expanded role for the rest of the year.