So I think it’s no secret that bench rotations shorten when the stakes are higher. The Nuggets won the title last year basically playing 6-7 guys, and the Celtics are as all-in on a top 6 as you can get this season. And since the goal this year seems to be Playoffs, what does the Magic’s rotation look like at that point?

The obvious locks are Paolo, Franz, 'Dell, 'Kelle, and Cole. But who else do you really, genuinely trust to produce on both ends of the court at a high level in nut crunch time? We know they both bring elite level defense to the table, but will JI and Suggs be able to hit open shots when it matters? Does Jingles make the rotation with his old man game (not an insult) and shooting? Could Jett or AB develop over the course of the season into a 3 and D wing?

At this point, it feels to me like we’re a wing player short. Maybe Gary Harris could be that guy and guard up a little bit? Feels like he has the ability. I truly believe JI’s ultimate (healthy) destiny is as a 5, rim running and wreaking havoc defensively. Mo Wagner has absolutely developed and is deserving of his minutes right now, but I worry how he would hold up in a playoff series against, say, a Dame and Giannis pick and roll.

So for right now, I’d say an 8 man rotation of Kelle, Cole, Suggs, Harris, Franz, Paolo, JI and Wendell is probably our strongest 8 man line up, though it’s very light on shooting if they aren’t falling for Suggs and Paolo. What say you, fellow Magic fans?