The necessity for the Orlando Magic to Identify a Point Guard during Summer Period.
The Orlando Magic's season has been a rollercoaster ride, with impressive three-point shooting stats and significant injuries to key players like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, plus his brother Moe's season-ending ACL tear. Despite these setbacks, the team is holding strong with a 29-30 record, placing them seventh in the Eastern Conference.
Regrettably, the Magic's three-point shooting has taken a significant dip since the beginning of the season. None of their players, except Moe Wagner (36.0%), have exceeded the league average of 35.9% from long range, as of February 24th. Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are all averaging just over 30% from beyond the arc, which is troubling for the team that primarily relies on these players to carry their offense.
On the brighter side, the Magic's decision to invest $66 million over three years in Caldwell-Pope seems questionable, considering his performance and the fact that he doesn't bring anything unique to the team.
As the summer approaches, the Magic must prioritize finding a reliable point guard to lead their roster. While established point guards like D'Angelo Russell or Tyus Jones might be available, their impact on lifting the team may not be substantial. Potential point guard candidates like Darius Garland or De'Aaron Fox are off-limits due to their current team situations.
In such a scenario, the Magic could explore an upside play by calling the Chicago Bulls and inquiring about Coby White or Ayo Dosunmu. White's contract situation, which leaves him with just one year remaining, could result in a cheaper acquisition than expected. He has shown promise as a scorer, averaging 18.1 points per game, and boasts impressive three-point shooting stats, with a 36.8% success rate from beyond the arc.
White is versatile enough to play both on and off the ball, making him a strong fit for the Magic's offense. His ability to create opportunities for both himself and his teammates could prove invaluable to Orlando, especially in light of their current shooting struggles.
The Magic may need to part with draft compensation to acquire White, but the potential benefits could outweigh the cost. Ultimately, finding a dependable point guard could be the key to strengthening Orlando's offensive game and propelling them towards success in the future.
Sources:
- NBA Draft Sites
- Coby White
- De’Aaron Fox
- Orlando Magic Insiders
- Kyrie Irving
- James Harden
- The Orlando Magic's struggling three-point shooting has made NBA observers question if they could benefit from adding a player like Coby White, who boasts impressive 3-point stats.
- Despite the Magic's current struggles, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero remain key players, with Wagner's 36.0% three-point percentage standing out among the team.
- In light of the Magic's struggles, Jamahl Mosley and the team's management will be under pressure to address their point guard situation before the NBA's deadline.
- PBPStats data reveals that none of the Orlando Magic's major offensive contributors have maintained an above-average three-point shooting percentage this season, causing concern within the organization.
- The Orlando Magic's search for a reliable point guard has led them to consider potential trades, with names like Coby White, who is proving valuable to the Chicago Bulls, being mentioned.
- With the 2023 NBA draft on the horizon, the Magic may be tempted to prioritize youth over experience, but acquiring a proven player like Coby White could provide an immediate boost to their offense.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's $66 million contract has raised eyebrows within the Magic organization, as his lackluster performance and inconsistent contributions to the team have not justified his high salary.
