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NBA Power Rankings Week 16: Rise of the Phoenix Suns

By Corey Rausch

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 08: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns and Mikal Bridges #25 talk during the fourth quarter in a 113-103 LA Clippers win at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 08: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns and Mikal Bridges #25 talk during the fourth quarter in a 113-103 LA Clippers win at Staples Center on April 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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. /
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(Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic

Last Week: Lost to Denver Nuggets 119-109, Lost to Washington Wizards 131-116, Lost to Indiana Pacers 111-106

This Week: 4/11 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 4/12 vs. San Antonio Spurs, 4/14 at Chicago Bulls, 4/16 at Toronto Raptors

Now that the Orlando Magic have fully committed to the rebuild (read as tank) there are plenty of interesting prospects to watch without the weight of expectations. Mo Bamba is finally getting minutes. Wendell Carter Jr. and RJ Hampton, newly acquired at the deadline, are showing promise. Cole Anthony is back. However, Chuma Okeke is the true story.

Okeke missed the entire season last year after tearing his ACL in the Final Four for Auburn in 2019. That injury saw Okeke slide from a top-10 pick to just outside of the lottery and that is already paying dividends for the Orlando Magic.

Since the All-Star break, Okeke has moved into the starting lineup full time and has scored in double-figures five times (that had only happened three times before the deadline). He is averaging a solid 13.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He is slowly getting more comfortable in his role and looks like a future building block for the team.

Watching his progression over the rest of the season will be fascinating. Everyone on the team is essentially auditioning for next season. The team will be welcoming in a top pick (possibly two should the Chicago Bulls miss the playoffs but not jump up in the lottery) as well as Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac. Okeke is ready to show he is part of that future.