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25-under-25: The best of the rest

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 29: Jabari Parker #12 drives to the basket and throws the ball off the backboard for Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 29, 2016 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - FEBRUARY 29: Jabari Parker #12 drives to the basket and throws the ball off the backboard for Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 29, 2016 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards
WASHINGTON, DC –  MARCH 5: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic goes up for a dunk during a game against the Washington Wizards on March 5, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

27. Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic

Aaron Gordon’s career has been one of uncertainty and false starts. The Orlando Magic wanted the versatility Gordon could bring, but could never figure out the right way to use him. And then Gordon never seemed to be healthy enough to give the Magic information on whether all their ideas would work.

Gordon’s career has been that kind of a false start.

His rookie year, he was the blank slate, just thrown out there to be athletic and mix things up. But he broke his leg early in the season and missed 50-plus games. There was nothing else for the Magic to do.

He started showing some defined skills and put them to good use in a stellar Summer League run. It looked like Gordon was going to take the sophomore leap so many second-year players take. Then he broke his jaw — horse-playing with his brother of all things, he was 19 — and could not get on the court the rest of the summer and even into training camp.

Last year, the Magic’s congested front court pushed him to small forward. On top of all that, he sprained his ankle just before camp started and did not return until a few weeks in. So he was playing out of position and missed training camp to learn his new coach’s system.

Not only that, he was playing for his fourth coach in three years. There has been no stability for Gordon. After the Magic traded Serge Ibaka, Gordon went back to power forward.

At least then, he found some stability. Gordon averaged 16.4 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game, with a surprisingly efficient 53.8 percent effective field goal percentage. If this is the Aaron Gordon the Magic can expect, then they may yet have something.

Now it seems certain the Magic will play Gordon at power forward, finally giving him a home and some role certainty — not to mention the same coach for consecutive years. That stability might finally be a place for Gordon to grow.

He is still only 21 years old after all. He has shown steady improvement in every year. The Magic are just waiting for him to break out.

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