When the Orlando Magic signed Robin Lopez to a one-year, $5 million contract, the expectation was the 13-year veteran could help mentor the younger players in the locker room and provide leadership throughout the season.
The role outlined by the Magic is one Lopez is perfectly fine with.
Orlando enters the 2021-22 season as the third-youngest team in the NBA with plenty of inexperience on the roster. Lopez, 33, will be the oldest player on the team this season as the roster features 10 players younger than 23 years old.
Along with Lopez, the Magic will also be leaning on newly-signed guard E’Twaun Moore (32), Terrence Ross (30) and Gary Harris (26) as the veterans on the roster.
“I’ve embraced being the vet on a few teams now and that is something I’m really looking forward to here,” Lopez said on Wednesday. “I’m going to do what I can. I think once the ball is tipped off, and we see everybody in action, that is going to help everybody out a lot more. It is going to help me have an idea of what people’s strengths are.
“I like to lead by example, I will be verbal when I have to but whatever the situation calls for.”
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The Magic have an intriguing young core of players, including Jonathan Isaac, Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, R.J. Hampton and Jalen Suggs, that the team decided to build around. The front office holds them in high regard and believes they can lead the Magic to the next level.
The organization has often praised those players because of their ability on the court, high character and work ethic. From the outside looking in, Lopez can see that the players on the roster have been willing to put in the work to be successful.
“We got a lot of skilled young guys, a lot of potential,” Lopez said. “What I like in them is they put in the work in the gym, and that’s necessary. I think everybody is going to have to hold each other accountable. They’re going to have to be honest and they’re going to have to have each other’s backs.”
With the roster now in place, the Magic appear to be ready for the season. It will feature plenty of young players, with a few savvy veterans, and the organization is hoping the group can take a step forward this season on and off of the court.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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