Orl☆ndo M☆gic 2022 Player Outlook

By guest writer @Rayshard07

Guest writer @Rayshard07, breaks down each player on the team and how they could impact the Magic this coming season. Make sure to give him a follow! Thanks Rayshard for coming to us to post your content.

⭐Frontcourt:

🔸️Wendell Carter Jr : Wendell Carter Jr was one of the best post defenders last season. He was also an elite screener and could switch onto the perimeter really well at his size. At 6'10 265 lbs he was able to use his strength and quickness to beat centers off the dribble. He averaged 15 ppg 10.5 rpg 3 apg shooting 52% from field and 33% from three making 73 for the yr. 2nd Half of the season we allowed him to use his faceup game and create off the dribble against centers. He ended the last 40 games averaging 17 ppg 11 rpg 3 apg shooting 54% from the floor.

🔹️Paolo Banchero : Paolo Banchero at 6'10.5 and 250 lbs with his footwork, vision and ball handling will be tough to defend. He also showed he plays the passing lanes really well in the summer league. With our switch heavy offense will be fun to watch his growth on the defensive end. He will punish teams on switches and the Magic have a luxury to use in Paolo so many different ways on offense. He was a great corner shooter so he will space the from the corner off ball. He can run 4/5 pick and rolls as the ball handler. He can run a 4/1 pick and roll with Suggs or Kelle setting screens for him. He can be the screener, roller, short roll passer, mid range post ups, high post, push the ball in transition, etc. He averaged 20 ppg 6 apg 5.0 rpg and 2.5 spg. Will be fun to watch his growth shooting wise and the matchup problems he causes.

🔸️Franz Wagner : At 6'10 Franz showcased so much this yr. He is already elite off ball player and missed only one shot as a cutter. He will thrive playing next to great passers in Paolo and WCJ since both can also put the ball on the floor and make plays for others. He finished the season averaging 15.4 ppg 4.5 rpg 3.0 apg on great efficiency. As the season went along his on ball reps increased and he kept improving and adding more skills. He was shooting step back threes, his euro at 6'10 is hard to step and he uses his body well to shield the defender. He has been lifting and he was getting to the paint easily with more strength he will be able to finish even better. Teams will have a hard time guarding 3 6'10 guys who can play off each other really well and create for themselves and others.

🔹️Mo Bamba : Mo Bamba shot 38% from three on good volume and was top 5 in bpg. As a backup center who gives you 14-18 mpg that is a perfect role for him. He will provide spacing and rim protection. Won't have to defend many starting bigs and can get away with his missed rotations and poor screening better in the 2nd unit. At 7'0 with a 7'10 wingspan he is huge and will provide spacing for the 2nd unit.

🔸️Jonathan Isaac : Jonathan Isaac was a top 3 defender when he was last healthy and to me he is the X Factor. He anchored a top 10 defense with Vuc, Augustin, Fournier, Ross playing a majority of the rotation minutes. At 7 feet and 7'3 wingspan his ability to react and get so many deflections and process the game at his size is elite. He averaged 2.5 bpg and 1.6 spg before he got hurt last time. Even if he is able to give us 14-18 mpg that would be huge he can provide an impact like Jaden McDaniels does for Timberwolves. Gives us another rim protector and give us lots if lineup possibilities.

🔹️Moritz Wagner : Last yr Moritz Wagner when he played he was solid. He had some crazy dunks, is a good shooter and moves really well off the ball on offense finding opening and added some toughness and energy off the bench. He averaged around 8 ppg and 4 rpg and I like him as an emergency 5 if Mo or WCJ get hurt he can soak up backup minutes. At 6'11 he is also another guy with good height and size who brings a nice offensive skill set.

🔸️Bol Bol : Bol Bol is only 22 and we had him all of last yr after the trade deadline working on his rehab and he has been training and working out with the team. The frontoffice liked him as a project and offered him a 2 yr minimum deal. At 7'2 with a 7'9 wingspan he offers a unique skillset both on offense and as a shot blocker. He struggles defending the perimeter but running 1/3/1 Zone lineups like we did with Mo Bamba last yr could work. Will be fun to watch him even for garbage minutes.

🔹️Chuma Okeke : Chuma Okeke is like Robert Covington he is such a great team defender and gets his hands on so many deflections. Last 40 games he averaged 11 ppg 4 rpg 2 apg 1.8 spg and 1.0 bpg shooting 38% from three on good volume. I really like him as a backup 3 to Franz and he has a nice in between game and passing game which he didn't do much last yr. I hope he drives and runs the pick and roll more like he did his rookie yr. At 6'7 with 7'0 wingspan he has good size and has been working on his shooting and strength. He was hurt last offseason and struggled in the beginning due to that. I am excited about him this yr especially with the bench unit.

🔸️Caleb Houstan: At 6'8 205 lbs and only 19 yo I was impressed by his shooting form, relocation ability, off ball movement and how he defended, fought for rebounds and got his body on the opposing guy every time someone shot. He had a 20 point game shooting 5/9 from three his 1st summer league game and was just signed to a 4 yr deal will be fun to see his growth probably will be in Lakeland this yr.

⭐Backcourt

🔹️Jalen Suggs : Jalen Suggs struggled shooting wise but he was elite on the defensive end. He was a 90 percentile defender as a 20 yo and has elite tools for a guard. He was able to burst by his guy with ease with his quick 1st step. With his strength, athleticsm and physicality he was able to impose his way to the rim. He needs to shoot it better, work on his handles and finishing. But I was encouraged by his defensive ability and how he competes. Really need him to shoot better if he wants to start next to Markelle Fultz.

🔸️Markelle Fultz : Markelle Fultz only played in 19 games but displayed some elite passing. In only 22 mpg he averaged 5.5 apg he is the best ball handler and gets to his spots at ease. He has really improved as a mid range scorer and does a good job getting to his spots and rising up over his defender and creating space with his ball handling. He is another strong and physical guard at 6'4 205 lbs and was punishing smaller guards in the post.

🔹️Cole Anthony : Cole Anthony started the season off hot averaging 19 ppg 6 rpg 6 apg but hurt his ankle and was never able to get into a rhythm and struggled after coming back from his ankle injury. He is really explosive and was our best pull up shooter. He has been in the gym working with Lethal Shooter and adding strength. I am hoping he is more consistent this yr and provides us scoring off the bench as a 6th man. He needs to take better shots and finish better but his 1st 30 games showed his potential.

🔸️Gary Harris : Gary Harris averaged 11 ppg 4 rpg and shot 38% from three. He looked like the Gary Harris from his earlier yrs. He had his bounce back, stayed healthy, was such a great defender especially chasing shooters around and as a 3 and D guard he can fit into any lineup and be productive. If Suggs struggles shooting Gary Harris can easily slide into the 2 spot and provide spacing for Markelle, Franz, Paolo and WCJ. Signing a 2 yr deal with next yr unguarenteed that was huge for us. Loved the vet presence he brings and is only 27.

🔹️Terrence Ross : T Ross has demanded a trade but is still apart of the team. He loves Orlando and has been a great locker room guy. He didn't try much since it was a tanking season but he still provides ability to space the floor and teams guard him tight. If injuries happen he can easily fill in and provide scoring and spacing off the bench.

🔸️RJ Hampton : He improved as a catch and shoot guy and hustles and moves his feet well on defense. He can't really create off the dribble and even though he gets by his man he struggles making decisions and throws errant passes or just throws up horrible shots contested at the rim. I am not sure if he will be here much longer especially with us having Bulls 2023 1st and Our own. Feel like he will be apart of a trade to open up roster spots but he is still only 21 hope he does well when he gets an opportunity.

♦️This team will surprise a lot of people like the Cavs did last yr. I really like the depth, size and versatility. We were top 5 in pace and top 10 in defense the 2nd half of the season. Adding another passer and decision maker in Paolo will add even more versatility to the team. I am excited to see how everything plays out and praying this yr we are healthy.

Stephen Cameron