Orlando Magic
Team Outlook-
The Orlando Magic have come under heavy scrutiny for some of their personnel decisions over the past year. The first shakeup happened this past February when the Magic traded Tobias Harris to Detroit for Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova. On May 12, 2016, after coaching the team for only one season, Scott Skiles stepped down stating that he was “not the right head coach” for the Magic. On May 20, 2016, former Indiana Pacers head coach, Frank Vogel, was named the new head coach of the Magic. Vogel was known for his defensive teams during his 6 years coaching in Indiana. The next questionable decision happened during the NBA draft when the Magic traded promising young Shooting Guard Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova, and the rights to the 11th pick in the draft, Domantas Sabonis to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Serge Ibaka. Early in free agency, the Magic overspent to land Center Bismack Biyombo to a four-year $72 million deal. $18 million/per year is not the type of money that you pay for a backup center. Many are questioning whether Nikola Vucevic will be the next trade target as the team is now crowded in the frontcourt with Biyombo, Ibaka, and Aaron Gordon. Magic GM Rob Hennigan recently said that there should be enough minutes for Biyombo, Ibaka, and Vucevic. Dividing up minutes is not a good recipe for fantasy success. With all of the changes over the past year, the Magic seem to be re-building their team to focus on the defensive side of the ball.
Projected Starting Lineup
Point Guard- Elfrid Payton-
Elfrid Payton was in and out of former coach Scott Skiles doghouse last season. Skiles did not believe that Payton was the point guard of the future in Orlando. Magic GM Rob Hennigan and the front office still have faith in Payton as well as coach Frank Vogel. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Vogel will give Payton the “green light” to shoot this season. Vogel said, “I’m going to take him out if he doesn’t take it.” Payton is far from an elite Point Guard but he does a decent job filling up all areas of the stat sheet.
Shooting Guard- Evan Fournier-
Evan Fournier stands to benefit most from the Victor Oladipo trade. Fournier averaged career-highs last season with 32.5 minutes/per game and 15.4 points/per game. He should continue to improve on those numbers this season. Fournier’s fantasy value relies on his shooting as he doesn’t fill up the other areas of the stat sheet.
Small Forward- Aaron Gordon-
Former 4th overall draft pick, Aaron Gordon, will have an opportunity to shine with all the changes in Orlando. New head coach Frank Vogel said, “We are going to put the ball in his hands a lot. We are going to use him like Paul George.” Gordon is capable of playing both Small Forward or Power Forward but should pick up most of his minutes at Small Forward alongside Serge Ibaka. Expect Gordon to take the next step in his third season posting solid fantasy numbers.
Power Forward- Serge Ibaka-
Serge Ibaka will get a fresh start with the Magic this season. Ibaka struggled last season averaging disappointing totals of 12.6 points/per game, 6.8 rebounds/per game and 1.9 blocks/per game. Ibaka was a forgotten man in Oklahoma City after Steven Adams and Enes Kanter took on a larger role in their offense. Monitor Ibaka’s role early in the season to determine if he holds any fantasy value.
Center- Nikola Vucevic-
Nikola Vucevic fantasy value took a hit when the Magic signed Center Bismack Biyombo during free agency. Last season, Vucevic averaged 31.4 minutes/per game and 8.9 rebounds/per game. Those were his lowest totals since his rookie season in Philadelphia. Expect Vucevic’s overall fantasy numbers to drop even further this season as his minutes will be reduced in favor of Biyombo. Since Biyombo’s acquisition, there have been constant rumors of a Vucevic trade. It would not be a surprise to see Vucevic playing on another team before the end of the season.
Key Bench Players
Mario Hezonja-SG, SF- Mario Hezonja should be the first SG off the bench until Jodie Meeks returns from his foot injury in November. Coach Frank Vogel recently said he loves the way Hezonja “attacks the basket off the bounce.” Hezonja will see a fantasy bump with all of the offseason changes in Orlando.
C.J. Watson-PG- C.J. Watson looks to be buried on the depth chart behind Elfrid Payton and D.J. Augustin. Watson holds minimal value for fantasy.
Key Offseason Acquisitions
Bismack Biyombo-C- The Magic broke out their checkbooks and offered 24-year old Bismack Biyombo a four-year deal worth $72 million. Last season, Biyombo averaged a career-best 5.5 points/per game and 8.0 rebounds/per game in limited minutes. Biyombo broke out during the playoffs with 3 double-doubles, as well as a game where he set a Toronto playoff record with 26 rebounds and 4 blocks vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers. Expect Biyombo to start the season coming off the bench for Nikola Vucevic. If Vucevic is traded, Biyombo’s minutes will spike and he will become fantasy relevant.
Jeff Green-SF, PF- The Magic overspent on a one-year $15 million deal with Jeff Green. He will backup both Aaron Gordon and Serge Ibaka as he is capable of playing both positions. Green has been inconsistent over the past few seasons as a fantasy option.
DJ Augustin-PG- The Magic signed D.J. Augustin to a four-year $29 million deal. Augustin will backup Elfrid Payton at Point Guard. If Payton misses time, Augustin would become a solid DFS option at a reduced price point.
Jodie Meeks-SG During the offseason, the Magic acquired Jodie Meeks in exchange for a future conditional second-round pick. Meeks projects to backup Shooting Guard Evan Fournier. Meeks is out until at least November with a foot injury.
C.J. Wilcox-SG- C.J. Wilcox was acquired in an offseason trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. Wilcox is primarily depth at the Shooting Guard position.
Key Offseason Departures
Victor Oladipo-SG- In a surprising move, Victor Oladipo was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Serge Ibaka during the NBA draft. Oladipo’s talent and playmaking skills will be missed in Orlando.
Ersan Ilyasova-PF-Ersan Ilyasova was traded with Victor Oladipo to Oklahoma City for Serge Ibaka.
Brandon Jennings-PG- Brandon Jennings signed a one-year $5 million deal with the New York Knicks.
Dewayne Dedmon-C- After the Magic acquired Bismack Biyombo, they rescinded their qualifying offer on Dewayne Dedmon. The San Antonio Spurs signed Dedmon to a two-year deal $6 million deal.
