Orlando Magic should focus draft on 3-point shooting point guard
The Orlando Magic will have the sixth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. They need to focus on a shooting threat from the point guard position as their top priority.
If we have learned anything about Tuesday’s NBA Draft, we know whoever the Orlando Magic selects to replace Rob Hennigan at general manager has a tough job ahead of him. The Lottery offered no reprieve or surefire decisions.
Having the sixth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft may not help Orlando get where the teams need to be as an organization on its own. The sixth pick does not guarantee the team the star it needs to change the franchise’s fortunes.
This draft seemed tailor made to help Orlando address one of its biggest needs. The Magic need a point guard who can shoot from long distance to open up the floor for Aaron Gordon and company.
In a point guard-heavy draft, led by Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz and UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball, the Magic need a point guard who can shoot from long distance to open up the floor for Aaron Gordon and company. This was the draft to find such a player.
There have been many rumors circulating in Boston about the potential of the Boston Celtics trading their first overall pick for a veteran player who can help put them contend against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They already are the number one playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. Some experts believe they need to cash in on their chips to win now instead of selecting a player in the draft who will have a learning curve.
Orlando would be smart to give Boston a call and improve their draft fortunes if they can. The players at the top are worth giving up a lot to acquire.
The Magic should be exploring every opportunity to get the best player possible in this Draft. Fultz and Ball seem to fit the exact kind of point guard a team like the Magic would need. They are scoring guards who can create their own shot as they create for others.
Ball averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game his freshman year at UCLA. He has the ability to be calm under pressure and not make a lot of mistakes by turning over the ball, which is where the Magic desperately need improvement.
Fultz is a similar dynamic scorer. He averaged 23.2 points, 5.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game. Like Ball, he is a well-rounded guard who can do it all.
It is clear to see why Fultz and Ball are the top two player sin this Draft. The kind of players everyone hoped and prayed for the right Lottery combination to appear to draft them.
Orlando may not get either Ball or Fultz. But even if these two stars are not available the Magic can still get players like Kentucky Wildcats guards Malik Monk or De’Aaron Fox, France’s Frank Ntiliknia, NC State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. or Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Issac.
Although Ball would open the floor for coach Frank Vogel’s offense and consistently put players in better situations to score, Monk and Smith, Jr. are more realistic options for the Magic. The Magic will have to weigh the options available to them thanks to Tuesday’s Lottery results.
That does not mean Orlando should ignore this dire need.
The Magic not only need a point guard who can score, they need a guy who can make his teammates better. Even with Fultz and Ball likely off the board, the Magic can still grab someone who can accomplish this feat.
Monk can put up monster numbers and would fill a dire need as a shooter if he is available, even though he is not a pure point guard. Earlier in the year, Monk scored 47 points against the eventual national champion North Carolina Tar Heels.
That was not the only scoring outburst he had last season. He averaged 19.8 points per game and shot a 54.3 percent effective field goal percentage.
The Magic desperately need a scorer who can put up those type of numbers.
The best point guard available to the Magic at six is likely to be Dennis Smith Jr. He would not be a bad fit for the Magic either.
Smith averaged 18.1 points, 6.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game as a freshman at NC State. The Magic need a guard who can consistently put up numbers across the board in rebounding and assists. If he improves on his collegiate numbers he could make Orlando a better overall team.
Smith is an aggressive driver and attacker, causing defenses to collapse. He should free up space for Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross too. Plus Smith can get to line, averaging 6.3 free throw attempts game.
Orlando Magic
De’Aaron Fox could also be someone who helps unleash Gordon on the break and above the rim. Fox is a one-man fast break and can score at will. He showed his ability to get inside of the paint at will against Ball and UCLA in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. He scored 39 points and dished out four assists.
The Magic also need a player who is extremely confident in his game. Someone who can instill confidence in the supporting cast. Fox brings attributes to the table Ball does not consistently bring, which is why the Magic should focus on someone who is as competitive as Fox.
Fox’s NCAA Tournament run may have him climb into the top five. Just outside the Magic’s reach this time around.
France’s Frank Ntilikina is competitive and fearless and would be a big guard on the perimeter to complement Evan Fournier. His defensive aggression combined with his 7-foot wingspan would help suffocate offenses and create fast break opportunities too.
Ntilikina is only 18 years old so he will have ample time and room to grow in Vogel’s defensive scheme. He may be one of the best two-way players in this year’s draft. And the Magic need more guys whose game is not limited to just defense.
The Magic clearly have a lot of guard options to weigh as the Draft draws closer. Regardless of who the Magic select with the sixth pick, they need to be someone who is a bona fide scorer and someone who can help his teammates fulfill his potential.
Next: Orlando Magic prepared however the Lottery turns out
It appears there are several options who can help the Magic accomplish this goal as they begin to focus on the prospects available.