Orlando Magic Should Start Aaron Gordon Over Channing Frye in 2014-15

For almost a week now, I have been thinking about which lineup will make the Orlando Magic competitive this upcoming season.

We already know that Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic will be starters. But the million dollar question is who will join them? Today and tomorrow, I will breakdown who should be the Magic’s starting power forward and point guard. I will start with the power forward spot, a position that was occupied first by Glen Davis, and then after his release it was occupied by an assortment of players, including Harris.

It’s pretty safe to say that Harris will be moved to the small forward spot in 2014-15, a position where his talents will be better utilized. The Magic now have two good power forwards who can start in between Harris and Vucevic.

Channing Frye is a veteran who can provide three-point shooting and help Vucevic and Harris on the boards, although he is not really known for his rebounding. But his weak spot is defense, and in a frontline that lacks a dogged defender who can do the dirty work, that may be a problem.

Aaron Gordon is a freak of nature. He was known in his college days as a freak athlete who can rebound and defend virtually every position on the court, but his weak spot is offense. His offensive skills still need work, and his limited offensive production will put more pressure on Harris and Vucevic to carry the offensive load up front.

Since not much is expected of the Magic this season, Gordon should get the opportunity to start. His offensive skills will grow over time, but the Magic desperately need his rebounding and defense. Frye will be a much better option in the second unit, as his three-point shooting and rebounding will open up the floor for players like Maurice Harkless to drive to the basket at will.

The Magic have the time to develop their young core. They might as well take advantage of it.

Kareem Gantt covers the Orlando Magic for Rant Sports. For more from this author, ‘follow’ him on Twitter, ‘like’ him on Facebook, and ‘add’ him to your network on Google.