Orlando Magic: 2015 Projected Starting Lineup

Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Orlando Magic boast one of the most young, yet interesting rosters in the NBA and look forward to finishing up the rebuilding process. After a 15-37 start, Orlando fired head coach Jacque Vaughn mid-season and finished out with a 25-57 record. Orlando is a a very young team with core players still in the early years of NBA citizenship, but in a weak Eastern Conference, almost any team not named the Sixers have a chance to make a big jump in their win column.  The biggest move from the Magic this offseason was re-signing forward Tobias Harris to a four-year, $64 million contract as well as drafting international prospect Mario Hezonja with the fifth pick in the NBA Draft.

Point Guard – Elfrid Payton:

Payton’s rookie year was fairly notable, as he participated in multiple All-Star weekend events and was top ten in points, rebounds, assists (#1 overall), and steals amongst rookies.

Payton provides energy, playmaking, and defense to the young Orlando squad, and they hope for Payton to develop his offensive game more and more this season, Payton’s starting job isn’t in danger.

Shooting Guard – Victor Oladipo:

Now entering his third year, Oladipo is a solid NBA player, but is still trying to find out ways to make himself more effective. Orlando tried to put him at point his rookie year before being moved to the two his second year.

With a stacked roster of young talent, who knows how and who Orlando will use to run the offense. Ultimately, Oladipo is getting better by the minute as he is a hard worker, averaging a respectable 18 points, four assists, and four rebounds per game last season.

Small Forward – Tobias Harris:

Harris is Orlando’s best natural scorer and that new contract reflects how they feel about it. Harris is still a question mark when it comes to his lasting power amongst the rest of the league’s elite scorers, but with more talent around him, he now has a chance to play at a more efficient level.

Harris averaged 17 points and six rebounds per game in a 68 games last season. At 6-foot-9, 235 pounds, he brings size to a league that is using centers less and less.

Power Forward – Aaron Gordon:

It is still unknown what Orlando is really planning to do, but at least they have versatility. Both guards can play the one or two and it seems like both forwards can occupy the three and four spots as well.  Once praised as the next Blake Griffin for his famous YouTube videos when he was in high-school, Gordon is looking to reinvent himself.

Gordon, like Harris, is also 6-foot-9 but probably 15 pounds lighter and doesn’t have a smooth “guard-like” game that you may say Harris has. That’s why Gordon is slotted at power forward.

Gordon is only approaching 20, but he was highly recruited and played for the prestigious Arizona Wildcats, so he won’t be scared to be in the starting lineup.  This Summer League, Gordon was practicing his dribbling, play-making, and three-point shooting to show that he’s too talented to just be a high-flyer. Playing with this team will be great for his progression.

Center – Nikola Vucevic:

Probably the most underrated center in the league, Vucevic continues to put up All-Star Numbers, albeit for bad teams.

Vucevic will only be turning 25, but he will be entering his fifth season with three-straight seasons of averaging double doubles. Very skillful in the post and not a knockdown shooter, Vucevic likes to stretch the floor every now and then. The Magic will hope that Godon, Payton, and Oladipo will make up for Vucevic’s defensive shortcomings, but he is definitely a problem opposing teams have to create a game plan for.

Final Statement:

Orlando is still probably a year away from actual contention, but their starting lineup is one of the most talented in the league. This is definitely going to be a NBA League-Pass team to watch throughout the year.