National Basketball Association

NBA 30 Teams/30 Days Preview: Orlando Magic

Published Oct. 4, 2014 8:09 p.m. ET

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Editor's note: This is the sixth of Sam Amico's 30 NBA team previews entering the 2014-15 seson.

Coach

Jacque Vaughn has done an admirable job in an almost no-win situation. The former NBA point guard is a bright X's-and-O's guy who relates well to the players. Problem is, the players either keep changing or aren't very good. Vaughn deserves to keep this job at least until the so-called "process" plays out.

Centers

Nikola Vucevic is truly one of the NBA's underrated players and would be considerably more appreciated with a winning program. He can play strong or soft, bullying his way to the basket or swishing home jumpers. The Magic need to continue to make him a major part of their rebuilding plan. ... Kyle O'Quinn has upside and does a serviceable job as a backup.

Power Forwards

The Magic have recently been a team with lots of options at this spot, and this season is no different. Channing Frye, who arrived from the Suns via free agency, is a veteran who can really shoot, but doesn't offer much else. ... Tobias Harris is likely to be the starter, and does a lot of things pretty well, just not consistently enough. ... Top draft pick Aaron Gordon is athletic with a high ceiling, but it's hard to tell how much he'll actually offer in Year One. ... Finally, this is a key season for Andrew Nicholson, who took a step back after a promising rookie season.

Small Forwards

Maurice Harkless is a nice player, but probably a backup on a good team. Unfortunately for all involved, the Magic aren't a good team. Either way, after two pro seasons, Harkless needs to step it up a notch. ... Right now, there isn't a backup in sight. Although, the Magic can sometimes overcome that by going big or instituting a three-guard attack.

Shooting Guards

Evan Fournier can swing between this spot or small forward, but it's too early to say if he's capable of starting at either. This should be the season that tells us. ... Long-time veterans Ben Gordon and Willie Green were picked up as hired guns this off-season. Neither appears to have a whole lot left.

Point Guards

Elfrid Payton was drafted out of a small school (Louisiana-Lafayette), possessing a nasty handle and dependable jumper. The Magic are hoping he becomes their own version of Blazers' star Damian Lillard. ... Victor Oladipo got off to a nice start last season before seemingly smashing into the old rookie wall. Still, he could start here or at shooting guard. ... Journeyman Luke Ridnour was signed to help with the youngsters and has always been one of the league's steadiest backups.

Projection

Once again, the Magic have a lot of bodies to sort through. They must figure out which young guys to keep as the core and which older guys can lead them best. Basically, there is enough talent here, but no stars. And we all know what wins in this league. Once again, the Magic aren't prepared to do that much.

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