An Opportunity for Chuma Okeke

By Stephen Cameron

The 2019 number 16 first round draft pick, Chuma Okeke, is starting his first NBA training camp and is about to play his first competitive basketball game in almost 2 years. With Jonathan Isaac out and now the news of Al-Farouq Aminu not clear for contact and no time table for return, this leaves a unique opportunity for Okeke to carve out a large role for himself in a position that could have been cramped otherwise. Let’s break this down.

Aaron Gordon is the clear starting Power Forward, then you have Chuma Okeke and Gary Clark as the current HEALTHY Power Forwards. For the Small Forward you have James Ennis, (who I am assuming will start), Evan Fournier, and Michael Carter Williams. Chuma Okeke is 6’8 and will likely be able to play both forward spots. This leaves no one to really back up AG outside of Okeke and Clark. Also with how often MCW plays 1-3, Okeke can easily be slowed at the back-up 3 as well. Now this really just meanS that Clifford has options with Chuma! That’s good! We want the youth of this team to have a clear opportunity to play.

Ennis and MCW are fine players and can help almost any team, but they are older and on short contracts. Chuma can be a long-term player for this team. Ennis, in my opinion, saves the floor of a team by providing good defense, hitting open 3s at a career 35% rate, and makes decent drives on close-outs, but that’s sorta it. His career outlook sorta is what it is with limited offensive upside, though he plays with heart and tries hard. MCW is a fantastic wing defender and the ultimate energizer off the bench, but lets be real, we all cheer our asses off when he hits a 3 because it’s so rare. His offense has a lot to be desired. Chuma, on the other hand, has upsides in both defense and offense. Let’s take a look at what he does and how he can carve a larger role for himself.

Offense

Okeke, in my opinion, is a player who, in theory, should be able to do a lot of the little things that the Magic need offensively. He won’t come in and be this offensive creator or play maker. That’s not where his strengths are at yet. However, he was a 38% 3-point shooter two years in a row in college. Guess what the Magic have been in the bottom of the league of in recent years? 3-POINT SHOOTING! If his shot record translates to the league, that alone should be a factor that helps the Magic, but he brings more to the table. He also has nice ability to drive to the basket on close-outs. You will likely also see some nice dunks from time to time as he can also make smart cuts. The ball should not get stuck in his hands because he makes smart passes without over-dribbling. Well what did Aminu do that annoyed us?…OVER-DRIBBLED! Stretching the floor and hitting 3s, making smart drives to the basket and smart passes should keep him on the floor regularly. Here are some highlights of what he can do offensively.

Defense

Ok, now lets take a look at his defense and what he could bring to the team. He has size, at 6’8, and is fairly quick on his feet; though, his IQ and positional awareness are what his true calling card is on defense in my opinion. He is often in the right place to be able to play meaningful help defense. He puts himself in position to block driving lanes and deflect passes. Clifford loves players that have defensive versatility and who can switch when needed. Chuma in theory should be able to capture Clifford’s eye as a defensive tool that he can utilize in multiple rotations. Here is a video of his steals for the month of December back when he played in college. Now, the steals are impressive, but pay attention to how he is often in the right position to take advantage of a situation, particularly when he is defending off ball.

Ok, I basically broke down some stuff I like about Okeke’s game but how does that translate to the Magic and how he can carve a spot for himself in the rotation early? Well, With a one-sided game in MCW, Chuma’s two-way potential could keep him on the floor in more situations. With no real veteran backup at the 4 now that Aminu and Isaac are out, he should be able to outplay Clark, (who I really like), quickly. Chuma can be verstiale enough on offense to play the 3 or the 4. Defensively, he should not be a liability on switches and projects to be a plus defender. Ennis is a bit more of just a 3, which is odd to say in a day of “position-less” basketball, which, again, gives Okeke more of an edge.

I am personally stoked on Chuma Okeke and Cole Anthony but I do think we need to tamper our expectations as fans just a bit. Okeke has not played a competitive game of basketball in almost 2 years. With a short training camp and no summer league for the rookies, I have a feeling the Magic and the rest of the NBA will ramp the rookies a little slower this year than in years past. Time will tell.

Thanks for reading this article and I hope you are all stoked on the new season. Stay tuned for more Orlando Magic content at The Close Up Magic.