After being drafted by the Orlando Magic with the fifth overall pick, expectations were sky-high for Jalen Suggs. Suggs certainly hasn’t disappointed, even in just three Summer League games. In these three games, Suggs averaged 15.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, and 1.7 SPG. Unfortunately for Suggs, he’ll miss Orlando’s final two Summer League games after an MRI confirmed he suffered a sprained thumb in Thursday’s game against Boston. Keeping Suggs out is just a safety precaution for him to not re-injure himself now or in Training Camp. Valuing Suggs’ health over experience is the right decision, even though his injury isn’t deemed to be serious. Suggs isn’t the only Magic player that’s had a productive start in the Summer League, though.
Who Else on the Magic Has Had Solid Showings in the Summer League?
Despite Suggs being the main talk of Orlando Magic Summer League Basketball, a few of Orlando’s other players have also played well thus far. One of those players is Franz Wagner, who was taken eighth overall by Orlando. Wagner has provided the Magic with solid play as a Three-and-D wing, averaging 6.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 1.0 APG while shooting 40.0% from the field. 2020 first-round pick Cole Anthony has also played well, averaging 5.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 2.0 APG in 20.3 MPG. With R.J. Hampton arguably having the most to gain (or lose) from the Summer League, he’s also played meaningful basketball. Hampton’s averaging 7.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 2.0 APG in 21.9 MPG. Hampton has also shot 31.8% from the field and 44.4% from three-point range.
Key Dates for the Magic in the 2021-2022 Off-Season
Luckily for Suggs and the Magic, they’ll have more opportunities to build their chemistry and decide on the rotation before the season begins on October 19th. The most notable date to circle is September 28th, which is when Training Camp begins. After Training Camp concludes, the Magic will undergo a seven-month season stretching from October to April. From there, the Play-in Tournament will commence from April 12th-15th, and the Playoffs will begin on the 16th. The Finals will begin on June 2nd and may end as late as June 19th, depending on how long the series will go on for.