Does Magic SG Jalen Suggs Have 'Towering Ceiling?'

Entering his third season with the Orlando Magic, does Jalen Suggs still have breakout potential offensively?

ORLANDO - Depending on how you look at things, Jalen Suggs, the No. 5 draft pick of the Orlando Magic back in 2021, has been a bust, but you can still see loads of untapped potential from another angle.

When Suggs was drafted out of Gonzaga, he was fresh off of a sensational run in March Madness, where the team would finish second, losing in the championship game where he tied for the game-high in points scored with 22. During that run, he also had iconic moments, such as his game-winning three-point shot to help the team advance. 

JALEN SUGGS SENDS GONZAGA TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 😱@ZagMBB #FinalFour pic.twitter.com/Ier1HcwjpH

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 4, 2021

But since he joined the Magic he's failed to live up to the expectations placed upon him as a scorer. Through two seasons in Orlando, Suggs has averaged 10.8 points and failed to materialize into the star point guard many expected he'd be when drafted. However, his defense still makes him a quality role player in the NBA.

Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs still has loads of untapped offensive potential / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

"In some ways, Suggs spent his first two seasons attempting to find an offensive niche that he still hasn't harnessed," Bleacher Report writes. "But peep his situation through a half-full glass, and you might change the narrative to say he's spent these campaigns cementing himself as an impact defender, which would grant him a towering ceiling if his offense ever comes around."

Whether or not Suggs develops offensively remains an unknown. Also unknown is whether his opportunity to develop will come with the Magic after they invested a top-six pick into Arkansas point guard Anthony Black, who also needs time to grow as a scorer.

Either way, Suggs' defensive strength has made him a quality player in the league with trade value, regardless of whether or not his game becomes more well-rounded.