The Orlando Magic will almost have their full roster back as Aaron Gordon is set to return to the lineup this week.
The Orlando Magic have been going through training camp so far virtually a man down.
A big part, or at least a significant part, of the Magic’s rotation is going to be set by how Scott Skiles intends to use Aaron Gordon. Sure, the Magic used Tobias Harris at power forward some (he started at power forward against the Pacers and Rockets earlier this week), but it still feels like he needs some support on the low block.
Certainly Orlando believed Aaron Gordon would be an important part of the team’s rotation and defense.
The Magic are still learning defense from Scott Skiles and under the team’s new system. They have to do that without Gordon in the fold and the potential he provides — especially switching on the perimeter and being able to guard just about any position.
Gordon fractured his jaw in July and has not been cleared for contact in practice. He has been participating in all other drills.
That might be changing very soon. Gordon is expected to be cleared for contact drills this week while the team is in Brazil:
.@OrlandoMagic coach SSkiles said today he thinks @Double0AG will be cleared for full-contact practice by mid-week while team is in Brazil
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) October 11, 2015
Gordon said even as far back as Media Day in late September he was aiming for the Magic’s trip to Brazil to take on Flamengo for his return to the court. That day is quickly coming up. But the Magic are likely going to take things slowly still. If he is not ready to go Saturday, he will not go.
Eventually, and eventually soon, Gordon will be back. And after he takes his time getting back into “basketball shape” — something he is not quite in because he has not had contact in practice yet — he will be an important part of the Magic’s rotation and core.
No one is quite sure what he will bring to the Magic. There is a lot of hope that he will continue his growth from the end of last season and Summer League. It is almost expected Gordon will be the team’s starting power forward and will provide some much needed defensive toughness all over the court. He seems like a good fit.
But Gordon has to prove himself too. He is just 20 years old and there will be growing pains. Missing out on so much of training camp is a major setback for the team and his career.
It seems like soon though, the Magic will be able to see Gordon on the floor and their team complete. And just in time with two or three preseason games remaining before the opener on Oct. 28.
