NBA on AIPS. Profile: Goga Bitadze

Zurab Talakvadze

Orlando Magic had strange season after all. Given the early struggles and some untimely injuries, Orlando broke out of a gate and was sitting in the upper part of an Eastern Conference. The team was getting an unexpected contributions from many unsung heroes and boy, those guys delivered. After all, only Detroit had less guaranteed money from the last season and Orlando relied on those “ifs” and secondary options. Later, when the STAR returned, the ball went straight to Paolo Banchero (two more years remaining on the contract, worth of 18 millions per) and the chaos unleashed.

Magic suffered from those returns and will have to deal with some untimely contracts as well. Banchero is on a friendly term, and so is Mroitz Wagner, but others are heavy as hell. Franz Wagner is contracted through at least 2028/2029 season and is owned 48 millions in the last year. Wendell Carter is signed as well and will be topped I the salary ranking by Jalen Suggsm whose contract starts at 36 millions next year and ends up with 26.8 in 2028/2029 as well.

And, of curse our eyes are on Goga Bitadze.

Season rate: C+.

Season stats: 7.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.2 blocks.

All in All: Statistically, Goga had a season to remember. His main stats, as listed before, are all career highs, but his game is still the process of learning and his body needs to get stronger. Bitadze can be a beast on the boards and on defense as well. He is fast, he has good hands and his playmaking can be lethal as well. The coaching stuff trusts Carter more, but Goga can be an X-Factor from the bench and, well, he does not mind. Can he transform himself into a solid double-double average guy as well? Why not, he is capable of doing do. Goga has a good midrange jumper and will only get better in the post as well, Bitadze is contracted through the next few years as well. The sky is the limit. And, only time will tell. Orlando can consider trading Goga as well.