Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 6: More Tournament thoughts
Of any asset the Magic have to play with this summer, none is probably more important that their draft pick. Again, this is another player that has to be a contributor as the Magic try to build this roster from the ground up. You just cannot whiff on top-five picks.
The jury is still out on Aaron Gordon, but when the team drafted him it knew he would be a project. The Magic should try to avoid that here and find someone who can contribute rather quickly, keeping this team moving forward.
That does not mean the Magic should draft a need. They still should draft best player available even as they build a team around this core they have.
So let’s assume if the Magic get the first or second pick, they are going with Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor. It seems a pretty safe assumption.
The next tier for the Magic features Emmanuel Mudiay, Stanley Johnson, D’Angelo Russell, Kristaps Porzingis and Mario Hezonja. I am still getting acquainted with all these names too, so excuse me if I feel behind.
I have seen Johnson a few times at Arizona. The guy is a hard-nosed defender and would fit this team’s supposed mentality really well. The Magic would have four lock-down perimeter defenders, potentially, if they were to draft Johnson. His shot seems a bit streaky though, and he seems to disappear offensively, or at least fade into the background.
The thing I like about Hezonja from reading his scouting reports is that he is an athletic stretch-4. That tends to pair well with Aaron Gordon. The Magic probably need someone who can play the 3 on offense, but guard 4s on defense so Gordon can be out on the perimeter. If that is the case with Hezonja, then he fits really well.
Again, I want to guard against drafting for need, because I think you still draft best player available in this position. I have not made much of a decision of who that is. Duke’s Justise Winslow could also sneak into this group too.
We have until the end of June to make this decision though!
Next: The Eastern Conference center hierarchy