The Orlando Magic have loads of questions getting into the 2022-23 season, which can tip off in opposition to the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 19.
Their coaching camp, which begins in a single week at their new state-of-the-art AdventHealth Coaching Middle, ought to assist present solutions.
The Magic’s 2½ weeks between the beginning of camp and the common season, which incorporates 5 preseason video games, will present perception on their plan for his or her wings (combo gamers who can slot in at taking pictures guard or small ahead).
Orlando’s wings embrace Gary Harris, Caleb Houstan, Chuma Okeke, Terrence Ross and Franz Wagner.
Forwards Kevon Harris and Admiral Schofield are also signed to two-way contracts with the Magic, whereas Joel Ayayi can be included on Orlando’s 20-man training-camp roster after signing an Exhibit 10 deal.
Listed here are three storylines to watch as soon as camp begins:
1. Wagner’s utilization
Wagner exceeded expectations by enjoying at an elite degree for a rookie a lot of the season.
He averaged 15.2 factors, 4.5 rebounds and a couple of.9 assists in 30.7 minutes (79 begins in 79 appearances), being named to the All-Rookie first staff and ending fourth (two third-place votes) for Rookie of the 12 monthsthat was awarded to Toronto Raptors ahead Scottie Barnes.
When requested to do extra, Wagner stepped up in a number of aspects — particularly as a defender, pick-and-roll ballhandler, driver and playmaker.
He was a high-level cutter and off-ball risk offensively.
The questions surrounding Wagner getting into his second season will not be solely about how he’ll construct off final 12 months but additionally his utilization.
Wagner might not be relied upon as a ballhandler as a lot.
Ahead Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 decide in June’s draft, and Markelle Fultz, who returned from a torn left knee anterior cruciate ligament, doubtless will carry a major load.
That’s along with guards Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs — Orlando’s beginning backcourt for many of final season.
Wagner took steps ahead as an on-ball creator, particularly as a pull-up shooter, with the German males’s nationwide basketball staff in EuroBasket 2022. How a lot he’ll be capable to present that development will depend upon how he’s utilized by coach Jamahl Mosley with this staff.
Mosley thinks Wagner is flexible sufficient to be a main ballhandler and values his decision-making, each on and off the ball.
“It’s not essentially the ballhandling, it’s extra the decision-making,” Mosley stated on the Magic’s official podcast, Pod Squad. “You are feeling snug with a man who could make selections. That’s what we’re asking all of our guys to do: How can they be higher decision-makers? When Franz first began summer time league it was ‘take a look at how effectively he cuts.’ That’s a decision-maker.
“That’s what we work on with all our guys, not simply with the ball in my palms. Franz may have the ball in his palms some. When you’re on the market with 4 different decision-makers, you’re taking a look at a fairly good staff.”
2. Harris’ harm
Harris, who signed a 2-year, $26 million contract extension to return to Orlando earlier than free company formally began July 1, had arthroscopic surgical procedure on Aug. 31 to carry out a meniscectomy in his left knee after tearing cartilage.
Tony Wanich, an orthopedic surgeon on the HSS Sports activities Medication Institute, instructed the Orlando Sentinel an arthroscopic meniscectomy isn’t an invasive process and entails “eradicating the torn or unstable portion of the meniscus (or cartilage).”
Even with the Magic’s different guard/wing choices, Harris’ on-court contributions can be missed relying on how lengthy he’s sidelined.
He was one of many Magic’s most constant 3-and-D contributors in 2021-22, averaging 11.1 factors on 43.4% taking pictures from the sphere and 38.4% taking pictures on 3s for a 53.9% efficient subject objective proportion — a method that adjusts for 3-pointers being price greater than 2-pointers.
“Typical rehab/restoration is about six weeks for a full return to exercise,” Wanich added. “The benefit of meniscus surgical procedure is it’s not a really invasive process. After surgical procedure, sufferers are in a position to transfer round straight away however they’re restricted so far as working or leaping often for that first six weeks.”
A 6-8 week restoration interval would give Harris a tentative return timeframe for mid-to-late October.
Orlando performs seven video games within the opening month, so Harris shouldn’t miss an excessive amount of of the season — if he misses any. He’ll doubtless be restricted for many of coaching camp, which begins Sept. 27.
“The very first thing we give attention to throughout that restoration course of is getting again full vary of movement,” Wanich stated of the restoration and rehab from an arthroscopic meniscectomy. “Any time you do any kind of knee/joint surgical procedure, there’s a danger for scar tissue formation, which might result in lack of movement and stiffness within the knee. Specializing in ensuring they recuperate their vary of movement is essential.
“The opposite half is ensuring the knee has sufficient time to adapt to this new state of affairs. What I imply by that's you’ve bought this knee the place it’s misplaced a bit little bit of a cushion. Each time you do run and soar, there’s extra impression that will get placed on that bone. The physique adapts to that, however because of this you’ve bought to fret about dashing gamers again too shortly. If the bone doesn’t have sufficient time to adapt and alter, that would delay the restoration as a result of it’s placing an excessive amount of impression on the bone.”
3. Crowded home
With the Magic drafting Banchero, re-signing Mo Bamba and Bol Bol and Jonathan Isaac’s anticipated return to the ground, it’ll be a battle for enjoying time within the frontcourt — particularly because the 4/energy ahead.
What’ll be the impression on the remainder of the roster?
Will Okeke, who’s primarily performed the 4, play extra as the three in lineups?
Will Ross, who’s getting into the final season of a 4-year, $54 million contract, play extra as the two/taking pictures guard after principally getting used as the three in 2021-22?
The place does Houstan, the No. 32 decide in June’s draft, match within the wing rotation, particularly after Harris returns?
The Magic have choices they’ll use camp to kind via.
This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. E-mail Khobi Value at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or observe him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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