Orlando Magic: Should Victor Oladipo start over Arron Afflalo?

Victor Oladipo represents the future of the Orlando Magic, but there is a very strong chance he might have to come off the bench backing up veteran Arron Afflalo. Will Oladipo, the second overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft, start for the Magic?

A three-team trade before the 2012 trade deadline helped the Magic land Afflalo, but also Tobias Harris, Doron Lamb, and Beno Udrih. Afflalo was second on the team in points per game, averaging 16.5. The Magic were actively shopping their second overall pick that they took Oladipo with, which shows that they were willing to not draft him.

Oladipo was one of the best prospects in this year’s draft, and it is rare to see a player taken in the top-five and not start.

Oladipo should start over Afflalo. The Magic would need to mix up the lineup, keeping Jameer Nelson at point guard and Nikola Vucevic at center but move the starters up a position, which they have the size to do. Afflalo would move up to small forward and Harris would move up to power forward so Oladipo could start at shooting guard.

That lineup would have a lot of potential, and they would have the privilege of having a good, young and versatile player as their sixth man in Maurice Harkless. 

No team wants to tank, no matter how good the incoming prospects are. The Magic will want to win, but they need to start Oladipo to have a shot at being relevant in the NBA.