National Basketball Association

Reviewing the Orlando Magic's backcourt opportunities

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:18 p.m. ET

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Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

After moving Victor Oladipo, the Magic have a few younger guards who will have chances in the backcourt next season.

Alongside Evan Fournier’s excellent 2016 campaign, Elfrid Payton and Mario Hezonja both showed flashes of brilliance. Losing Victor Oladipo though, brings a lot of questions to the Orlando Magic’s backcourt this season.

They still have a lot of room for improvement that they will need to capitalize on if the Magic are to have a successful season. More touches and opportunities could allow them to shine. But the logjam in the frontcourt might spill down and prevent that from happening.

D.J. Augustin and Jodie Meeks provide two relatively dependable veteran options off the bench. But if Hezonja and Payton can become more well-rounded and consistent, they will be a much better investment.

Here is what we could see from the Magic guards next year.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Evan Fournier

“Breakthrough season” might be a strong phrase to describe Fournier’s 2016 season. But, if nothing else, Evan Fournier proved his dependability last year.

He was arguably the team’s most effective three-point shooter. He penetrated, passed with ease and held his own on defense.

Next season, as new coach Frank Vogel runs a smaller and faster system, Fournier could also see time at the wing. He is the roster’s only established outside scoring threat that could play a “death lineup” small forward.

But the overabundance of options at the 4 and 5 could push Aaron Gordon and Jeff Green down into the 3 and Fournier into the 2-guard position.

Fournier proved last season he could be effective from either slot. But If Gordon cannot improve his efficiency around the perimeter, this could be highly problematic for the new offense.

Wherever he ends up spending most of his minutes, the team will depend on him to play more minutes at a higher usage rate and to score at a higher volume.

Playing alongside stretch bigs like Nikola Vucevic and Serge Ibaka could allow him more openings to drive the ball and further cement himself as the team’s best and most well-rounded scorer.

Mar 2, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja (23) dunks the ball over Chicago Bulls guard Mike Dunleavy (34) during the second half of a basketball game at Amway Center. The Magic won 102-89. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Mario Hezonja

Mario Hezonja’s brilliant flashes last season were hampered both by inconsistent play and inconsistent playing time. Even with Tobias Harris and Victor Oladipo‘s departure, the overflowing front court could make that a continuing theme for Hezonja next season.

But playing in lineups with Gordon, Ibaka, Fournier and Vucevic would allow ample space for Hezonja to exploit.

On his good days, Hezonja was a versatile offensive threat last year.

But he was far less dependable from beyond the arc than he was inside — despite almost half his shots being threes.

Creating more space for Hezonja would allow him to improve his inside scoring clip and benefit from more mismatches outside.

In April, Hezonja took more shots per game and shot 44 percent from three as he received more minutes than ever before. In games he started, his true shooting percentage was significantly higher than it was off the bench.

The more Hezonja plays, he better he plays.

If last year’s numbers are any indication, getting both more time and space on the floor will pay dividends for Hezonja.

He should thrive playing alongside established scorers. An overcrowded frontcourt and playing on a team in “win-now” mode could prevent him from getting the chances he needs to shine and develop.

The direction this storyline goes could be the difference between a winning and a losing season.

Apr 11, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) holds off Milwaukee Bucks guard Rashad Vaughn (20) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Elfrid Payton

After a solid rookie season, many were disappointed Elfrid Payton did not seem to take that next step last year.

While he might not put up jaw-dropping scoring numbers next year, look for him to be a solid piece on both sides of the ball as he benefits from the new-look Magic’s increased space.

Having stronger rim and paint protection behind him with Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo should give him more confidence to play closer defense up on the perimeter. His defense suffered when he played off guards allowing them open shots outside.

He also struggled mightily against the pick and roll, which he will have to improve if he wants to keep a starting job.

Payton’s scoring was most effective when he could penetrate last year. Biyombo’s tendency to clog the paint on offense could cause serious problems for his ability to score. While he shot threes at a decent clip last year (around 30 percent), he is far from lethal outside.

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If he can improve his 3-point shot, he could make the Magic offense very dangerous regardless of who is in the frontcourt.

If Mario Hezonja can blossom into a solid second or third scoring option, the team will rely on Payton’s offense less. That would probably be for the best.

Payton’s ball handling, facilitating and defensive skills all still have a lot of room to grow. And he could very well take major strides in those areas if others can handle the inside defense and outside scoring duties.

Dependable backup options in Jodie Meeks and D.J. Augustin should go a long way in taking pressure off Payton’s offense. A healthy rotation of those three could allow Payton to develop while still ensuring that the Magic get reliable offense out of their backcourt.

Apr 15, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard D.J. Augustin (14) dribbles in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder beats the Minnesota Timberwolves 138-113. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Jodie Meeks, D.J. Augustin & C.J. Wilcox

Between Elfrid Payton and Mario Hezonja, the Magic backcourt is riddled with unestablished upside and uncertainty.

The presence of Jodie Meeks and D.J. Augustin off the bench offer a welcome reprieve from that.

Both players have been in the league for seven or more seasons and shoot around 37 percent from three. For all the ups and downs the younger guards will likely undergo this season, the value of having two established shooters on the bench cannot be understated.

When Vogel rotates in bigger lineups, penetration will not come easy for the Magic offense. Whether or not Payton and Hezonja can provide high-volume offense in a lineup like that is uncertain.

Augustin and Meeks will take some of that weight off their shoulders while providing space and scoring.

C.J. Wilcox is a bit harder to judge. With only 44 NBA games played in his two-season career. In the little he has played, he has been excellent from beyond the arc.

As Meeks tends to an injured foot, and as Hezonja and Payton continue to develop, Wilcox could benefit from more playing time and usage than he saw with the Los Angeles Clippers.

For all the question marks the Magic’s 2017 roster brings, it also provides upside and dependability. Frank Vogel will have no shortage of options off the bench — something that has served him well in the past.