*NEW ACQUISITION∂37 wins ∂Miss the playoffs ∂Terrence Ross will be a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year Award.StartersThe Magic miraculously made the
playoffs last season because the
East is practically a minor league
compared to the West. The team made
few moves and the same questions
remain—the comically imbalanced frontcourt,
first and foremost. Still, Orlando does have one
semi-intriguing plotline this season: the potential
rehabilitation of Markelle Fultz. The former No. 1
overall pick, who joined Orlando at midseason but
didn’t appear in a game, HAS PLAYED ONLY 680
MINUTES since being drafted in 2017.
The Sixers didn’t give up on Fultz as much as the
win-now organization couldn’t afford to wait on
him any longer. Orlando gives him the opportunity
to play without the expectation of contributing to
a contender. Considering its other options at point
guard are veteran retreads, there’s no reason for
Orlando not to give him minutes. A minibreakout
could significantly impact the Magic’s future—and
shake up a franchise in need of one. —R.N.680
TELLING NUMBER
D.J.
AUGUSTIN
11.7 PPG; 5.3 APG;
47.0 FG%; 42.1 3FG%PG
EVAN
FOURNIER
15.1 PPG; 3.6 APG;
43.8 FG%; 34.0 3FG%SG
JONATHAN
ISAAC
9.6 PPG; 5.5 RPG;
1.3 BPG; 42.9 FG%SFENEMY LINES
A rival scout weighs inThe only thing that
scares me with them:
Does NIKOLA VUˇCEVI ́C
punt now that he has
money [after signing a
four-year, $100 million
extension]? I know
people who’ve spent
time around him and
think he might take hisfoot off the gas.... They
have a talented roster,
but it’s very weird. They
added AL-FAROUQ AMINU.
The last thing they
needed was more long,
nonshooting fours.
But he’s a really good
player. They’re a team
that at the deadline
could really help
another team. Aminu’s
very, very movable....
JONATHAN ISAAC was reallygood at the end of the
year, just doing little
things defensively
in rotations. He can
guard centers in pick-
and-roll and fours
on the perimeter....
AARON GORDON has his
warts, but he’s good.
[Criticizing his]
shooting consistency
is low-hanging fruit,
and he’s continuing
to improve there. Heneeds to realize: I’m a
four, I’m not a three,
but I can use that to my
advantage and create
for others by breaking
down defenses and
really passing. He just
doesn’t exactly fit
with the rest of what
they have if he’s a
wing. Defensively, he
gives effort, but can
he be a lockdown?...
D.J. AUGUSTIN is a pro.He’ll continue to run
the show and get guys
fed.... I’m not really
relying on MARKELLE FULTZ.
I know a lot of people
are like, What the hell
are they doing picking
up Fultz’s option? I
think you have to. This
is the best way to find
a star. This is the best
way to turn this middle-
of-the-pack team into
a contender.Projected Lineup
TERRENCE
ROSS
15.1 PPG; 3.5 RPG;
42.8 FG%; 38.3 3FG%SG
AL-FAROUQ
AMINU*
9.4 PPG; 7. 5 RPG;
43.3 FG%; 34.3 3FG%PFBench
PF
AARON
GORDON
16.0 PPG; 7. 4 RPG;
44.9 FG%; 34.9 3FG%NIKOLA
VUˇCEVI ́C
20.8 PPG; 12.0 RPG;
1.1 BPG; 51.8 FG%CCrystal Ball: 79
DON JUAN MOORE/GETTY IMAGES (VUCEVIC)
Magic
ORLANDO
2018 – 19 RECORD 42– 40 1st in Southeast
COACH STEVE CLIFFORD 2nd season with MagicTHE
EAST