National Basketball Association

2017 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Jodie Meeks

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Dec 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jodie Meeks (20) shoots a three pinter over Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Jodie Meeks arrives in Orlando as another big shooter off the bench. His entire season though rests on his recovery from a foot injury.

It was just a season ago when Jodie Meeks made a lasting impression in Orlando.

Meeks scored 34 points and made 9 of 11 3-pointers at Amway Center making an impression. Even as the Orlando Magic introduced him to the media this summer, that game got plenty of mention. It is something of his Magic legacy as he established something of a Magic-killer legacy. A random role player having a big game (see Damjan Rudez too).

Meeks though has a clear NBA skill. He is a stellar shooter — a career 37.3 percent shooter — and someone who has been on the verge of being a quality bench scorer. Meeks is a spread-the-floor player who can knock down shots when he is left open.

He was the perfect player for Stan Van Gundy. A specialist who can hit threes and, with some guidance, at least a neutral defender.

That all came crashing down last year when Meeks broke a bone in his foot and played all but three games. He came back late in the season, but was largely ineffective.

That storyline only got worse and more muddied when Meeks needed surgery to reinforce his previous injured left foot. It is unclear whether Meeks will be ready for training camp.

The Magic too loaded up their bench with shooting. Meeks will be part of that competition for sure. How he recovers from injury and how quickly he can return to the lineup will determine what his role will be.

Meeks’ shooting when he is healthy is extremely valuable. He proved himself effective off the bench in the past two years — in 2014 and 2015 he averaged 13.7 points per game and shot 38.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Meeks has to get healthy again, obviously, to contribute to the Magic. If he does, he should be a great weapon off the bench and a versatile player to help spread the floor.

Jan 24, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jodie Meeks (20) takes a shot against Milwaukee Bucks guard O.J. Mayo (00) in the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

What to Look For

Assuming Meeks is healthy, he is a shooter plain and simple.

In his career he has shot 37.3 percent and flirted with or surpassed 40 percent shooting from beyond the arc in three of his seven seasons (and remember last year he missed the entire season virtually). Even on some bad teams, Meeks has played very well and gotten his shot off.

Meeks has made the Playoffs four times in his career, but the only team he really contributed to was the lockout-shortened 2012 team when his Philadelphia 76ers advanced to the second round. Despite not playing with necessarily strong teams, he has shot an incredibly strong percentage.

Jodie Meeks is not likely a starter, but can fill those minutes. Adding any shooter to a lineup is usually not a bad thing. And so having a veteran reliable for a few spot starts is a good thing.

Meeks’ 3-point shooting though is his main asset. And the reason the Magic went out and acquired the last year of his contract. It was a risk worth taking for a team in desperate need of knock-down shooters anywhere on the roster.

Jodie Meeks can shoot. That is what the Magic want from him first and foremost. If he can deliver that then the Magic will be very happy with the acquisition.

Oct 21, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jodie Meeks (20) during the game against the Charlotte Hornets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Charlotte won 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

What Could Go Wrong

Magic fans are plenty familiar with receiving players from the Detroit Pistons struggling with injuries. Meeks did not exactly arrive on crutches, but it did not take long for Meeks to be back on the shelf.

The foot injury that kept Meeks out for the majority of last season is and should still be a real concern. It is unclear when Meeks will return from injury or if he will be ready for the beginning of training camp.

The reality might be Meeks deals with another season struggling with injury. Foot injuries are not anything to look past. So much of a player’s strength comes from their feet. It is hard to do much without being able to stand or walk.

Meeks’ shooting should not go anywhere. That is a repeatable skill.

But his status coming back from a second surgery on his injured left foot is concerning. It may take him some time to get back into game shape and some time to learn his new team.

And by then opportunity may very well have passed him up. Mario Hezonja and C.J. Wilcox also share the same role, abilities and position. Meeks will be starting from behind if he is unable to go at the start of training camp. And in a contract year, it may be difficult for him to truly catch up.

Apr 12, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jodie Meeks (20) shoots the ball over Charlotte Hornets forward Noah Vonleh (11) during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 116-77. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The Hot Hand

The true power of what the Magic have done is adding depth to their roster. They have three quality shooters that they can bring off their bench in Mario Hezonja, Jodie Meeks and C.J. Wilcox. The Magic should be able to space the floor plenty with their bench. And who gets minutes between Meeks and Wilcox may well depend on who has the hottest hand at the time.

With Wilcox having a very uncertain presence on the team — he simply has not played enough — Meeks is the veteran. That may mean he gets the benefit of the doubt more and the trust to take care of his business and produce.

Ultimately production is what matters. And Meeks will at some point this season play a factor in that.

He has shown plenty capable. When he is healthy, he is an effective 3-point shooter and a reliable player.

The way shooters, especially ones off the bench go, they wax and wane. One player will come to forefront and make shots when another fades and struggles some. Everyone needs to stay warm and ready when their number is called.

That is going to be the role Meeks plays this year. He will have a stretch where he is shooting the ball extremely effectively and it is clear he needs to play. There may be other stretches where Wilcox fills that role better.

Meeks will be steadier based on his experience. But he has to be healthy first.

The Magic will rely on Meeks at some point this season. He is the kind of player who can help the team win.

Dec 12, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jodie Meeks (20) drives on Phoenix Suns guard Gerald Green (14) during the first quarter at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Outlook

Jodie Meeks’ season is reliant on being healthy.

His playing only three games last year and then needing additional surgery to reinforce his injured left foot is something of a warning sign for the 29-year-old wing player.

If Meeks is not healthy, he is an expiring contract that just takes up space for the year. And his career enters uncertain territory as he has to prove his health.

If Meeks is healthy, he is a fantastic shooter which should add to the Magic’s depth and make their offense a little more dangerous.

At his best, Meeks is a great shooter and a spot starter. He does the things a team would expect from a veteran. Meeks is not mistake-prone and not too much of a negative defensively. He certainly adds it back with his offensive and shooting acumen.

There will be times when the Magic go with Wilcox over Meeks. That is the nature of the position. But Meeks should be the more consistent and ready option for the Magic.

The question though is his health. It is still very uncertain whether Meeks will be healthy for training camp. Or when he might become available.

What he can contribute to the Magic is wholly reliant on answering that question. The promise of another shooter though is promising enough to wait.