The Orlando Magic's personnel decisions in the past year have turned out quite well. The returns in the Dwight Howard deal netted them a double-double machine in Nikola Vucevic, and there's hope that Tobias Harris can turn into an All-Star after the Magic acquired him in the J.J. Redick trade. Coach Jacque Vaughn is now challenged with continuing their development, and that's not to mention 2013's second-overall pick, Victor Oladipo.
2013 Orlando Magic roster: Made to develop youth
The Orlando Magic have a glut of young talent to develop in 2013-14 and for the most part they have the environment to do so.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
There will be time for the young players to grow with the ongoing recovery of forward Glen Davis from a foot injury. And if Orlando trades veterans Jameer Nelson or Arron Afflalo, even more minutes will open up.
Projected starters
Nikola Vucevic -- In his second NBA season, Vucevic broke out to average a double-double. The 7'1, 240 pound center is only 22 years old and his upside will be tested during the 2013-14 season. He's a physical and productive center who averaged 13.1 points, 11.9 rebounds and a block in only 33 minutes per game. Vucevic can already stretch defenses out to midrange. Improvement defensively will be the next step for his game.
Tobias Harris -- Harris is at worst the starting small forward, but he's up to 240 pounds this season and is likely to play more power forward with Davis still battling injury. After being traded from the Milwaukee Bucks last season, Harris averaged 17.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. If he bumps his three-point shooting percentage to around 35 percent -- it was 31 percent last season -- he could make himself even more valuable.
Jameer Nelson -- It's hard to see Nelson staying on the roster for the whole season even though the veteran point guard is still a double-digit scorer, above-average playmaker and sound locker room presence. The development of rookie Victor Oladipo at the point guard spot threatens Nelson's playing time. But for the time being, it's hard to imagine Vaughn doesn't keep Nelson as the starting floor general.
Arron Afflalo -- The veteran shooting guard could be in a similar situation to Nelson, but with Orlando giving Oladipo minutes at point guard, Afflalo's playing time might take less of a hit than previously expected. Afflalo ended last season recovering from a hamstring injury but should be ready to return this year. He averaged 16.5 points per game in 2012-13.
Glen Davis -- Davis' most productive year in the NBA came to a sudden end after injuring his foot last season, and two foot surgeries put a downer on the forward's summer. The latter didn't occur until July, and Davis has been openly wondering if his foot will ever be the same. There's no timetable for his return, which opens a starting spot. Harris could slide to power forward and play alongside small forward Maurice Harkless, or Andrew Nicholson could start next to Vucevic in a big frontcourt.
Rotation players
Victor Oladipo -- From the onset of the year, Oladipo will assuredly find himself playing a lot. Whether it’s at shooting guard or point guard, the No. 2 overall pick from this summer’s draft will be leaned upon and should split minutes with veterans Afflalo and Nelson. Ideally, he could come off the bench to start the year and then move into the starting lineup if Orlando trades Afflalo or Nelson.
Jason Maxiell -- Maxiell should be able to earn plenty of minutes with Davis out for the start of the season. The athletic but undersized power forward averaged 6.9 points and 5.7 rebounds as a reserve for the Detroit Pistons last season.
Maurice Harkless -- At 20 years old, Harkless showed a lot of progress in the second half of 2012-13. He averaged 13.4 points and 5.3 rebounds after the All-Star break and should see a lot of time at the small forward spot. He can play in place of or with Harris, especially if the latter is at power forward. The athletic Harkless could especially find a big role if he improves his jumper.
Andrew Nicholson -- The Canadian out of St. Bonaventure averaged 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in his rookie season. He can play as a backup center behind Vucevic in spurts, but with his style could also do damage at power forward.
E'Twaun Moore -- The combo guard enters his third season with a bit of pressure. He'll need to improve his shooting percentages of 39.6 percent overall last season, among other things, to earn playing time now that Oladipo is bound to steal his minutes. Development by second-year guard Doron Lamb could also threaten to make Moore the odd-man out at guard.
Deep on the bench
Doron Lamb -- The Magic's freefall toward the end of last year gave them the opportunity to play Lamb 22 minutes per game in the final eight games of the season. The extended minutes went quite well for the former Kentucky Wildcat, who proved his shooting ability in those outings by knocking down 45 percent of his shots and 53 percent of his threes.
Kyle O’Quinn -- The physical big man cemented himself as a glue guy off the bench but is more than serviceable if there are injuries in the frontcourt. He could play spot rotation minutes, especially with Davis out.
Romero Osby -- The Magic's second-round pick out of Oklahoma is a strong, physical post player.
Ronnie Price -- The free agent won't see rotation time unless there are injuries. He brings a broken jumper but a feisty defensive presence to the Magic.
Mickell Gladness -- Gladness played with the Warriors two seasons ago and isn't guaranteed to make the Magic roster.
Solomon Jones -- The lanky big man and seven-year NBA veteran was invited to training camp.
Visit Orlando Pinstriped Post for even more Magic coverage. Kris Joseph -- Joseph, a swingman from Syracuse, joins the Magic for training camp.
Manny Harris -- The journeyman point guard is in Orlando for camp and last played for the Cavaliers.
Head coach
Jacque Vaughn -- Vaughn continues his rebuilding project where development of young players will be key. His job will include pushing Vucevic and Harris after their success last season. Additionally, Vaughn must keep veteran's like Nelson and Afflalo comfortable all while making sure Oladipo gets enough playing time to gain experience.
See More:
