Sean Sweeney has one non-negotiable for Magic offense: Space the floor

Sean Sweeney has spent plenty of time discussing what the Magic’s new offense should look like. One part apparently isn’t open for discussion.

That would be none other than spacing.

Orlando’s new coach is emphasizing a five-out system during training camp, and he considers maintaining that spacing an obligation players have to one another, according to Ryan Kaminski of Sports Illustrated.

“Spacing for me is giving respect to your teammate and having the discipline to do it every time,” Sweeney said. “It is not a choice. It is not optional.”

That certainly clears up that. Sweeney is taking over an Orlando team that has plenty of size and defensive talent, but the offensive end is where another step may be needed. His system will ask players to maintain proper positioning, make quick decisions and create room for teammates rather than allowing the floor to shrink.

It’s hardly revolutionary in today’s NBA. The trick, of course, is actually doing it possession after possession.

Sweeney learned under coaches including Rick Majerus and Jim Crews and has carried some of those principles into the modern NBA, where spacing has become considerably more important.

The Magic hired Sweeney believing he could push an already talented roster forward. We’re starting to get an idea of how he intends to do it.