ORLANDO, Fla. — The situation the Orlando Magic are in, without Markelle Fultz (fractured big left toe) and Jalen Suggs (left knee bone bruise), is quite familiar.
So when it comes to replacing the playmaking of their top two guards, the solution is simple: Nothing has to significantly change. It’s been evident throughout the Magic’s preseason, especially in their 109-105 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday at Amway Center.
Yes, other players will be tasked with bringing the ball up the floor or initiating the offense more frequently.
But with how Orlando’s roster has been built and how coach Jamahl Mosley wants his offense run — reading and reacting with constant ball movement — everyone’s tasked with being a playmaker.
“Us developing the players all around allows for that,” Mosley said. “You don’t get guys stuck into one way of playing. We understand it’s about decision-making, playmaking. The more we can get guys who can do that, one guy steps out or through injury, another guy can step in and fill that role right away.”
“Next man up” is cliché but also has been true for the Magic.
They were without Suggs (48 games played) and Fultz (18 games) for significant parts of the 2021-22 season.
The result was more playmaking opportunities for Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr. and Cole Anthony.
Wagner (seven assists to go with 14 points, 10 rebounds and two steals) was Orlando’s primary ballhandler among the starters Tuesday. Carter (18 points, seven rebounds and eight assists) was used as an offensive hub around the free throw line and 3-point arc.
Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 pick in June’s draft, also has been depended on to create scoring chances for others. He finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and two assists.
Terrence Ross had 17 points (5-for-9 shooting) and three rebounds while Cole Anthony finished with 12 points and four rebounds against Memphis for Orlando’s third consecutive win.
“We talk about this often — sometimes injuries provide opportunities for others,” Mosley said. “With that being said, Franz will have an opportunity to handle the ball more, Paolo will handle the ball more. We play maybe a little bit more — as you saw last year — through Wendell. Those are going to be the opportunities to happen as we move forward.”
Coming into training camp, third-year guard R.J. Hampton expected to be used off-ball more.
Because of the Magic’s injuries, he’s been used as the backup point guard in the preseason, which is a comfortable role for him. He logged 16 minutes (two points, three assists, three turnovers).
“I definitely was planning on playing more off ball, but that’s how the league is. People go down, guys have to have different roles,” Hampton told the Orlando Sentinel. “Luckily I feel like I’m not a very one-dimensional player. I feel like that’s a strength of mine — being able to play multiple positions.”
