2024 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Caleb Houstan has to start proving himself
Caleb Houstan got his first opportunity and made some good moments to become the emergency wing in the Orlando Magic's rotation. Now he needs to show consistency.
For one incredible night, Caleb Houstan looked like everything the Orlando Magic had been hoping to find in the sweet-shooting forward.
The Atlanta Hawks could not find a way to slow down Houstan as they fought their way back and got the game to overtime. The bet that the Magic's fifth starter, a replacement starter for an undermanned team in early January, would not burn them did not pay off.
Houstan torched them that evening for 25 points on 7-for-14 shooting from three as the Magic ran away with the game in overtime. He added four assists for good measure.
When the Magic took Houstan in the second round alongside Paolo Banchero in 2023, this is what they likely saw in the young Michigan forward, one of the youngest players in his draft class.
That was the high water mark of the season for Houstan. It was a moment and a game Houstan was chasing for much of the rest of the season. It is the game that everyone felt could be around the corner for him but just did not happen repeatedly.