Magic coach Jamahl Mosley plans to experiment with different lineups for the rest of the season, writes Khobi Price of The Orlando Sentinel. The recent returns of R.J. Hampton and Markelle Fultz from injuries give Mosley more options to work with in juggling his rotations.
“These last [17] games are about finding different combinations that work together,” Mosley said. “We want to make sure these guys understand … different minutes and different opportunities for guys that haven’t played.”
One change that has taken place since the All-Star break, Price points out, is less reliance on the combination of Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs and Gary Harris. Mosley had them on the court together frequently after Suggs returned from a fractured thumb in mid-January, and the team was outscored by 31.4 points per 100 possessions in those minutes. Price notes that the three players haven’t been used together at all in the four games since the break, with Hampton seeing more time in three-guard lineups.
There’s more from Orlando:
- Terrence Ross was a healthy scratch Friday night for the first time all season, Price adds. Ross was mentioned frequently in rumors ahead of last month’s trade deadline, but the Magic opted to keep him. “Terrence doesn’t get in the game because it gives another guy an opportunity,” Mosley said. “That’s one thing we’re going to continue to look at for the rest of these games: Different lineups, different rotations, certain guys will play, certain guys may not, but it’s a great way for our guys to learn and gain experiences. It’s finding out what it looks like from game to game. It’s a conversation game to game. These guys are willing and understand … they want their brothers to succeed, they want their brothers to get better. They’re very supportive in whichever way we go about it.”
- Even though Fultz is healthy, it appears the Magic don’t plan to use him in both nights of back-to-backs. Fultz sat out Friday’s game at Toronto, but is expected to be active tonight in Memphis, the team announced (via Twitter). He has played twice since returning Monday from an ACL injury that sidelined him for more than a year, averaging 10.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 15.5 minutes of action.
- Moritz Wagner isn’t on tonight’s injury report, so he may play after missing the past nine games with a left rib contusion, Price tweets.
What is going on with Jonathan Issac?
Fultz is a guy we should be monitoring. Might be able o get him at a good price. He’s young and plays D. At least he will push the ball. They really should chk him out closely.
That could potentially be a very smart pickup for the Knicks, and could be an under the radar way to really improving the team as a whole..
I’d definitely like to see the Knicks try to obtain Fultz..
With Anthony and now Suggs. You’d think he should be available.
Knicks can use a young point guard, Fultz, sure why not… remember they had Payton & healthy Rose for stretch run last year…
I think you guys are forgetting something about Fultz, besides that he cant shoot… that moron GM down there gave him a 50M deal he has 16.5M and 17M remaining on his contract. That’s not a sum of money you take a chance on lol. Let the magic continue to be a joke. They have like 4 PGs on the team and trying to play them 1-3.
Fultz would be a mistake objective. He almost needs to be a backup.
Orlando is in the evaluation of talent stage not setting positions stage. They have drafted and traded well. They are on the rise. Isaac I don’t see coming back he is unvaccinated so it will be next year IMO.