Orlando Magic

Three questions the Magic face heading into training camp

Published Sep. 28, 2015 4:00 p.m. ET

Andrew Lynch

With training camp about to tip off, here’s what to watch for as your favorite team prepares for the 2015-16 season. Some of these questions will be answered quickly; others could linger into the regular season. Either way, here are three things that will define the first month of this new season:

Will Mario Hezonja help space the floor for Orlando?

The Orlando Magic have two fantastic guards in Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton. But there’s a problem -- both have struggled on 3-pointers to this point in their career, which has been a big problem for the Orlando offense. If the rookie Hezonja can earn coach Scott Skiles’ trust -- and a decent role in the rotation -- his shooting ability and confidence from deep could make a world of difference for the Magic’s spacing.

Can Channing Frye get back on track?

Speaking of 3-point shooting, remember Channing Frye? He’s technically a member of the Magic, although if you watched last season, you might not have noticed. It was one of the worst seasons Frye’s had since he became a 3-point sniper, and a bounceback season from the power forward would be a huge part of Orlando vying for a postseason berth, a stated goal according to GM Rob Hennigan.

Is Victor Oladipo a superstar?

Oladipo says he’s ready to join the NBA’s elite. He’s reiterated time and again this offseason that there are no more excuses for Orlando. But is he really on that level? Not yet, although it’s not out of the question that he could take that leap. Where Oladipo can become a force is by applying what he’s learned about the league. He’s a smart guy who’s seen basically everything opposing teams are going to throw his way. Has his understanding of the game matured to the point that he’ll see it coming moving forward?