The “Chief” Is In The Building: Aminu Will Bring Defense and Leadership
In one of the most under the radar signings at the outset of free agency, Orlando agreed to a 3-year, $29 million deal with forward Al-Farouq Aminu. The Magic used the entirety of their Mid-Level Exception to nab the defensive-minded veteran who last played for the Portland Trail Blazers.
The reaction thus far from Magic fans has been mixed with the underlying question mark being his fit on this roster. My initial thought like most fans when I saw the report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was, “What the hell? Why would we need another forward when that position is the deepest on the roster?” But as we have learned in the two years since President of Basketball Ops Jeff Weltman has taken over, going against conventional wisdom and making out of the box moves is something that is synonymous with the organization thus far. Drafting Chuma Okeke and signing Aminu, two players who play similar positions to incumbent starters Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon, are the latest moves made this summer that raised some eyebrows amongst the Magic kingdom.
Let’s make some sense into this signing.
So what does Aminu bring to the table that Magic brass likes? Yep you guessed it. Wingspan! It measures 7’3”. In all seriousness, Aminu fits perfectly into a reserve role that will have him playing a hybrid 3-4 position behind or alongside Issac and Gordon. He can defend multiple positions and help take some of the pressure off of JI and AG when it comes to guarding the likes of Kawhi Leonard or LeBron James. Positional versatility is extremely important in today’s NBA and specifically for Weltman and head coach Steve Clifford. Take for instance the Toronto Raptors. Their length and ability to switch defensively disrupted opposing offenses during the playoffs, inevitably allowing them to capture their first NBA title. Weltman and GM John Hammond are building this team with a similar mindset. Defense-first, length, versatility, and playing for one another.
In a Portland roster that featured Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum as scorers, Aminu fit in well by doing the dirty work. He played and started in all but one game this season and averaged 7.5 rebounds per game. Aminu is the prototypical glue guy, a player with excellent intangibles, high IQ, and a great teammate. As a matter of fact, his impact could be far greater than on the basketball court.
“Al-Farouq will be a significant player for us and he’s someone who is about all the right things,’’ Weltman raved. ``The guy impacts winning everywhere he goes and he’s of the highest character and he’s a team-first guy. The only guys we’re looking for are ones who impact winning and he does that. He’s proven it and we’re all excited to have him on our side.’’ (Source: Orlando Magic)
Al-Farouq, which means “The Chief has arrived” in Nigerian, is an ideal fit for this roster. His ability to spot up for corner threes, defend multiple positions, and bring veteran leadership to a still somewhat young roster is invaluable for a team looking to take the next step in their development. A signing that vastly flew under the radar on Day 1 of free agency could be one that ultimately pays off for Orlando in their quest to reach the postseason consistently over time.
Magic fans! This team is on the up-and-up. Building something sustainable for years to come has gotta be an exciting time for fans who have endured a long seven-year rebuild.
Please let me know your thoughts on the Aminu signing. You can hit me up on Twitter @k_chang22.