Should Magic Give Rookies 'Major Minutes'?
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is entering the season with a pair of lottery picks in Anthony Black and Jett Howard, both of whom can make a large impact in their rookie year.
However, Black and Howard are joining a roster filled with young talent and a difficult path towards consistent and solidified minutes. Everything will have to be earned for the two of them.
Bleacher Report believes the Magic should take a risk and play its rookie duo "major minutes" this season.
"After playing .500 basketball over last season's final four months, the Magic might have some ambitions on climbing the Eastern Conference ladder this time around. That could make them a touch hesitant to lean heavily on lottery picks Anthony Black and Jett Howard, especially since each has at least one reliable veteran presumably ahead of them on the depth chart," Bleacher Report writes. "Orlando should ignore that hesitation. Maybe it means taking a half-step backward now—though, if Black and Howard are quick learners, it might not—but it would still be worth it for the two (or more) steps forward in the future."
Jeremy Brener - The Magic Insider
For the Magic rookies to succeed, they'll need minutes. Howard shot the ball well in the Summer League, hitting 40 percent of his 3-pointers, and Black showed that he has a well-rounded game but isn't much of a shooter at this point in his career, so for now, he'll be coming off the bench while former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz continues to facilitate with the first team.
However, it's hard to give unproven rookies minutes in favor of players just about to hit their stride, like Fultz, Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs. However, when the Magic drafted Black and Howard, there was a vision for the both of them, even with a crowded backcourt.
"We're getting guys that can play multiple positions," Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said after the draft. "There are a host of combinations that coach can go with and the more options that he has the better."
Out of the two, Black is likelier to see the court before Howard given his defensive prowess and his ability to guard multiple positions.
"I think [Black] kind of transcends position and that's what we're looking for," Weltman said. "He's gonna guard three positions, he's gonna facilitate for others. I think he'll give coach a lot of options as to how to put different combinations on the floor that'll suit his needs that game. The more versatility the better."
Black and Howard will have the chance to make a statement when training camp begins in early October.
