Orlando Magic: 3 players looking over their shoulder after the NBA Draft

Orlando Magic players looking over their shoulder: 1. Markelle Fultz

Perhaps the correct answer here is Mohamed Bamba. After all, the introduction of Wendell Carter Jr. after having numerous opportunities to impress is a real concern for him. But because of all of the variables in play at this moment in time, Fultz tops the list. Not because of his talent or who he is as a player.

Remember, this is a guy who was the Magic’s second-best performer in a playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks not so long ago. Currently rehabbing a torn ACL, Fultz was the crafty type who didn’t rely on sheer speed to get around the court before the injury either. So it is hoped that the injury won’t have impacted his game too negatively.

Fultz also absolutely deserves a chance once he is healthy to run this team again and to show everybody what he can do. Before going down, he was orchestrating a roster that featured Gordon, Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier to what it felt like was going to be another postseason appearance. Who knows what he can do with these younger guys in place instead.

The real reason Fultz tops this list, however, is because timing, location and opportunity account for so much in the league. As good as Fultz can be, and he should be ready to go for training camp,  a lot has changed since he last played for the Magic. Anthony and Hampton struck up a real bond with one another, and as mentioned Anthony’s personality has already seeped through the team.

Hampton and Suggs are familiar with one another as well, while Suggs certainly seems to possess a lot of the same personality traits as Anthony. Two guys with a chip on their shoulder, out to prove the doubters wrong. There is also a new head coach in Jamahl Mosley, and it remains to be seen what direction he wants to go with the guard rotation.

So whereas Fultz was a firm favorite of coach Clifford, he is going to have to prove himself all over again to a new coaching staff, with tougher competition than ever before in order to get playing time. As much as fans love him too, they are a fickle bunch. A great start from Suggs, backed by Hampton and Anthony, and Fultz could be out in the cold. He may have signed a three-year extension in 2020, but life moves quickly in the league. Fultz will be hoping to keep up.