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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 6: More Tournament thoughts

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 10, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Orlando Magic stand at attention for the playing of the National Anthem before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Orlando Magic stand at attention for the playing of the National Anthem before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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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