Magic Preseason Profile: Chuma Okeke Eyes Bigger Role This Year?

The Orlando Magic frontcourt is very crowded. However, that doesn't mean Chuma Okeke won't find a way to make an impact.

Jeremy Brener | Oct 12, 2022

Magic Preseason Profile: Chuma Okeke Eyes Bigger Role This Year? /

In this story:

Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - Orlando Magic forward Chuma Okeke is approaching the biggest season of his young career.

Okeke has a team option on his contract for next season, meaning this could be his final year with the Magic. However, there's potential for 2022-23 to be the best campaign yet.

Let's take a look back at what Okeke was able to produce last year, as well as what we can look forward to seeing this season.

2021-22 Season Review

Okeke played 70 games in his second full NBA campaign, averaging 8.6 points and five rebounds per game. With Jonathan Isaac out for the year, Okeke was able to play around 25 minutes per game. In fact, Okeke and Isaac have never played a game together despite being on the same roster for four years.

With other playmaking guards out, Okeke was tasked to be somewhat of a point forward last season.

While Okeke wasn't Orlando's best player, he was serviceable when called upon and had potential to force mismatches on the court with smaller guards or slower forwards.

2022-23 Season Preview

Okeke is expected to play a similar role as a point forward in the Magic's offense this season, but the minutes might be harder to come by.

With No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero entering the mix, minutes at the power forward spot will be scarce. However, the Magic's system really fits Okeke's style as a playmaker. Unlike most teams, Orlando wants to run the offense through its forwards, which will give Okeke an opportunity to shine.

The decision regarding his team option comes by the end of the month, so Okeke might need to have a strong start in order to sway the Magic to opt in to his contract for next season.

After that, it will be up to him to play for his salary for the upcoming year or prove that the Magic made the right decision by keeping him.

Check out our other Magic preseason player profiles you might have missed so far:

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 Twitter.

Published Oct 12, 2022

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.