Feb 2, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; The Orlando Magic logo on a players shorts during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks won 107-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
4. Who do you think the team should select fourth? Why?
Oliver: Dante Exum. With the Embiid news, it’s quite possible that Exum will now go in the top three. However, if he’s not there, the Magic should take him and run. They get their point guard of the future, and make a terrifying backcourt duo with Oladipo. It also gives them versatility on both ends, as Exum can slide down and play and guard some of the bigger shooting guards, while Oladipo handles some of the quicker, smaller point guards.
Haynes: With so much uncertainty at the top, I think we really won’t know who will be there for Orlando. That being said, I think Noah Vonleh will be the pick. I’ve been beating the drum on Orlando’s lack of a rim protector, so I’ve been very intrigued with Vonleh and Arizona’s Aaron Gordon. I like Kyle O’Quinn, but I also believe he’d be better in a Taj Gibson role. Vonleh screams everything you want in a lottery pick; he has the size, the athleticism, and all the tools you want are there. Bring him to Orlando, put him at the other post position, and you have an excellent one-two punch with Nikola.
Cleary: EXUM! EXUM! EXUM! Assuming he’s there, of course. I’ve been driving the Exum bandwagon for the Magic for a very long time now and I’m not about to go a different direction here. If he’s there, the Magic should take him and laugh at everyone else. I think the whole idea that Exum covets Los Angeles to play for the Lakers is unfounded and the Magic shouldn’t think that they would be burned by someone who wants to go to LA for a third time.
Palmer: Whomever is leftover out of Wiggins, Exum, Parker, and Embiid. Acquiring franchise level talent should be priority number one for a rebuilding franchise. The issue here is Embiid is most likely to fall and I don’t see the Magic picking him because of his injury concerns. If the team keeps the pick they’ll probably pick Noah Vonleh.
Smith: Dante Exum without question… if he’s there. In a world that would have Exum going in the top three to either Cleveland, Milwaukee, or Philadelphia, then I honestly have no idea what they should do. The options at this point are limitless: trade up, trade back, take Vonleh, take Smart… with Embiid’s injury, this just got a whole lot more complicated for the Magic. I’ll cop out and say that they should take the best player available at number four, regardless of what position he plays.