Depth Chart continues with Steve Clifford’s Orlando Magic.
Is ORL in the midst of a rebuild or resurgence? The performance of young talent, defensive consistency & long-range shooting are key themes this season.
How will Coach Clifford’s rotation shake out when action officially tips off in a couple weeks?
PROJECTED STARTERS
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DEPTH CHART
PG: Augustin-Grant-Briscoe (R)-Caupain (2Way)
SG: Fournier-Simmons-Iwundu
SF: Isaac-Ross-Frazier (R)
PF: Gordon-Martin-Jefferson (2W)
C: Vucevic-Bamba (R)-Birch-Mozgov
-Lineup of Augustin-Fournier-Isaac-Gordon-Vucevic is a strong candidate to kick things off Opening Night; Aaron Gordon is looking to stake his claim as ORL’s top overall threat, Jon Isaac hopes to impact defensively + convert open offensive opportunities on the wing - tremendous size for a 3-4 combo; Jon Simmons & Terrence Ross are also in the mix for the starting 3 spot - in either case, Isaac would shift to a backup 3-5 role
-Can Evan Fournier make a(nother) scoring leap? Avg. career-high 17.8 points/gamer while shooting 38% from deep; Fournier will be pushed by T. Ross & J. Simmons for - Ross also factors in at the 3, played just 24 games in an injury-plagued campaign a year ago; Simmons is one of ORL’s most versatile wings, avg. a career-best 13.9 points after signing a FA deal; consistent production at the 2-3 will give Magic a chance to compete every night
-DJ Augustin returns as ORL’s starting PG in 2019; Augustin’s a steady vet with experience running the show in lots of different situations; DJ’s primary backup could come down to a camp battle between Jerian Grant & Isaiah Briscoe; Grant has a few years of league action under his belt, is able to play make & score at the basket (albeit in spurts); Briscoe is more of a shot-maker whose able to find teammates after isolating and breaking down defenders; defense + outside shooting could dictate who gets the nod
-The Isaac-Gordon-Mo Bamba front line is on hold…for now. Coach Clifford is expected to start the incumbent, (underrated) 8-year vet Nikola Vucevic; Vuc is nowhere near the defensive player Bamba could turn out to be but easing him into action while maintaining a reliable offensive source (Vucevic) isn’t a bad strategy in the meantime; Isaac-Gordon-Bamba will see time together - how will they positively complement each other? (defense!)
-Sans Mo Bamba, which rook/new import will impact ORL the most?; Jarell Martin (via MEM) & J. Grant (via CHI) could play earn rotational roles, while Briscoe (breakdown PG) & Melvin Frazier (35th pick, Tulane) look to capture utility minutes
DOG LINEUP COMBOS*
SIMMONS-FOURNIER-ISAAC-GORDON-BAMBA
AUGUSTIN-FOURNIER-ISAAC-VUCEVIC-BAMBA
AUGUSTIN-ROSS-SIMMONS-GORDON-ISAAC
*lineups ORL should explore
KEY:
R = rook
2W = 2Way
R2W = 2Way rook
• new additions in bold