Victor Oladipo Benched for Channing Frye: Latest Comments and Reaction

The Orlando Magic are searching for answers after dropping three of their last four games, and head coach Scott Skiles has decided moving star shooting guard Victor Oladipo to the bench could solve some of the team's woes. 

"I'm going to embrace it," Oladipo said of his role change, per Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.

According to John Denton of the team's official website, the Magic will roll with a starting lineup of Elfrid Payton, Evan Fournier, Tobias Harris, Channing Frye and Nikola Vucevic on Wednesday night against the New York Knicks. A stretch 4, Frye will slide into the power forward spot, with Fournier and Harris downshifting to the 2 and 3, respectively. 

Denton broke down the move from Skiles' point of view: 

In 12 games this season, Oladipo is averaging 12.8 points on a lackluster 37 percent shooting from the field and 26.4 percent shooting from three. Furthermore, the rising star is shooting just 29.4 percent on drives to the basket, per NBA.com's player tracking data. 

Robbins added the move wasn't an easy one for Skiles since the defensive-minded boss and his staff "have preached defense and Oladipo is the team's best defender." Furthermore, Robbins reported Skiles spoke to Oladipo on Tuesday and reiterated the shift to the second unit wasn't punishment. 

ESPN.com's Zach Lowe indicated the move would have made more sense with a younger, more dynamic presence taking Oladipo's place in the starting lineup: 

Based on a small sample size, there are indications Skiles' move could work. According to NBA.com lineup data, the five-man unit consisting of Payton, Fournier, Harris, Frye and Vucevic has posted a net rating of plus-26.8 points per 100 possessions in 33 minutes this season. 

Conversely, the team's old starting lineup featuring Oladipo at the 2 has recorded a net rating of minus-16.5 points per 100 possessions.