Magic Guards 'Unclear' as Long Term Solutions?

The Orlando Magic feels good about Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony. But will that prevent the team from taking a guard with one of its two lottery picks?

Jeremy Brener | May 28, 2023

In this story:

Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic has some big decisions coming up when it comes to the NBA Draft.

Holding the Nos. 6 & 11 picks, the Magic has an opportunity to add to its booming young core. It's hard to see a path for any rookie in the frontcourt to make much of an impact with Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. blocking their way for significant playing time.

The same can be said about the backcourt with former top pick Markelle Fultz and 2021's No. 5 selection Jalen Suggs. However, Bleacher Report questions whether Fultz, Suggs and backup point guard Cole Anthony can be long-term options for Orlando.

"The Magic have guards, but it's unclear if any are long-term keepers," Bleacher Report writes. "Markelle Fultz can't score from range, Cole Anthony is a defensive liability and Jalen Suggs lacks obvious utility on offense."

The concerns are valid, especially considering Orlando has yet to experience playoff success, but it's hard to rule it out. Fultz has yet to be truly healthy up until this season, and the Magic held a winning record when he was in the starting lineup. Suggs has also experienced his fair share of injuries, but showed signs of improvement from his second season compared to his first. And Anthony, while not superior on defense, is one of the best scorers off the bench in the NBA.

The Magic believe in all three of those guys, and Gary Harris figures to be a key part of the guard rotation as well. It's hard to pull the plug on something that you haven't seen in its full form yet, but the Magic's unique situation forces these premature evaluations.

With the two lottery picks incoming and the flux of positive development across the roster, Orlando has a good problem and some difficult decisions to make in the coming weeks.

You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Magic? Click Here.

Follow The Magic Insider on Facebook.

Follow The Magic Insider on Twitter.

Want even more Orlando Magic news? Check out the SI.com team page here.

Published May 28, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.