Orlando Magic: 3 most important players in 2021-22
By Luke Duffy
Most important Orlando Magic players: 2. Jalen Suggs
Adding Jalen Suggs to this list isn’t meant to heap unnecessary pressure on the rookie. In fact, it speaks more to what a fantastic opportunity this is for him to grow. He had a great showing during Summer League in the games that he did play, taking it seriously and having the kind of performances that fans from other teams were admiring as well.
Michael Carter-William’s misfortune can work in Suggs’s favor as well, as the injury to his teammates means he will get even more minutes early in the season to get out and show what he can do. Coach Mosley is sure to let him make his mistakes on the court, and having him in place instead of previous head coach Steve Clifford is also to Suggs’s advantage.
We are going to see pretty early on if Suggs can be the potential franchise cornerstone that the Magic have needed for a long time. If not that, then the guy with the winning mentality is the most exciting player on the roster. Already he looks to have secured that mantle and has the mentality to match, just like teammate Anthony.
The backcourt rotation will have to be addressed at some point in time, but right now it can only be viewed as a positive. There is plenty of talent back there, and although he has done everything right so far, Suggs is going to have to fight to prove that he is the real long-term solution for the Magic, especially offensively.
That kind of competition is healthy and welcomed for a young team, and the fact that they are currently working out as a group together is hugely encouraging as well. That is the other reason why Suggs is going to be so important this year. To see if his personality, alongside that of Anthony, meshes the group together to play in their style. Early on it looks like it has, and if the talent follows then it is going to be a huge year for the rookie.