NBA: Orlando Needs More Guards, Former Magic Says

The Orlando Magic made quite a breakthrough next season and the expectations from them this 2019-20 NBA season is expected to level up. They do have the right players in place although a former member of the team believes beefing up the backcourt is a good idea.

Jameer Nelson, who played for Orlando from 2004-14, sees a bright future ahead of D.J. Augustin at the guard position. However, adding a reliable backup and more guards to help take some load off the 31-year-old player is a good idea if the Magic are keen on making a return trip to the NBA Playoffs, The Athletic reported.

"D.J. is a guy who’s overcome a lot throughout his career, so if I had to bet on him, I would. But the one thing is I think they need more, especially in the playoffs, out of guys like (Evan) Fournier and guys off the bench. They don’t have a lot of veteran leadership, but they have a lot of young talent," said the 35-year-old cager.

Critics hardly paid attention to the Magic last NBA season. It was not until they made the postseason wars and dealt eventual NBA champion Toronto Raptors that some took notice. Regardless, it was clear that the team is headed in the right direction. But as Nelson pointed out, more players need to be involved. That covers both current players and possibly names that they can possibly include in the mix.

Looking at the roster, they do have a fine mix of players. There is Evan Fournier, Terrence Ross, and Markelle Fultz - names that could rise this coming NBA season. Fultz remains on the injured list and there are no updates on his status. Although he had a rocky tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers, he could return and spring a surprise - possibly addressing the lack of depth that Nelson is pointing out in the backcourt.

Aside from them, there are also notable names worth mentioning. Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and Michael Carter-Williams are familiar names so it may be a matter of getting everyone on the same page. Team president Jeff Weltman believes that once they figure it out, they should have a united team that can reap success in the NBA.

“We’re just trying to build a way of playing where we know who we are, where we know how we win, and where we have the right players and the right people to support one another, and get through hard NBA seasons together the right way,” said Weltman back July.