speed, ballhandling skill, and vertical explosiveness, you’d think the Magic would want to play fast to maximize those abilities. That has not been the case. The Magic play at a snail’s pace under new head coach Steve Clifford, ranking 29th in possession time after turnovers, 28th after made shots, and 15th after rebounds, per Inpredictable. Clifford modernized his offense last season with the Hornets, but he’s back to his old ways in his first year in Orlando. Opportunities for Gordon to show off his bounce have been limited.

The league has noticed. In an informal survey I conducted among sources on players most deserving of a role change, Gordon was the most common answer. Two executives said he could be used as a transition starter like Pascal Siakam isstrong, but Gordon could make them regret it.

Dario Saric

Saric’s résumé overseas includes championships and MVPs. For a time, it seemed Saric was never coming over. But he did, and the transition from Adriatic League MVP and EuroLeague rising star to the NBA was largely seamless: All the flashes Saric shows today, he showed back then. He hustled on defense, crashed the boards, hit timely shots, cut, and screened. Saric is a role player now, but his style remains the same—every bit of it except for his passing. Saric was never a primary playmaker, even overseas, but he did offer more creativity in transition in Europe, and was utilized as more of a facilitator in the half court.

After being acquired by the Timberwolves in the Jimmy Butler blockbuster, Saric