The late second round is mostly guess work, but the Magic will look to snag a valuable backup with the 51st pick.
The Magic will have some options to fill needs with that 51st pick, and given that second rounders come on non-guaranteed deals (cheap ones at that) the Magic could manage to snag a rotation player even at the last juncture of the draft.
What backup position screams for the most fortification? The need for bigs is there. A backup point guard is in the cards. Another defender never hurts. There are a lot of ways the Magic could go with a low-investment pick. There really are no sure things late in the second round, but the Magic could key in on a number of guys capable of being pros.
Here’s a look at five prospects the Magic could eye with that 51st pick.
Next: Robert Upshaw, Washington
1. Robert Upshaw
Robert Upshaw is intriguing for a number of reasons. He is really raw, but he blocked five shots in less than 20 minutes a game and boasts the highest standing reach of anyone measured at the draft combine (9-foot-5). Upshaw could easily be the type of player who plays a Samuel Dalembert or Larry Sanders-type of role.
Upshaw was ruled ineligible at Washington and nearly entered the D-League. Instead, he will be available and is projected currently to go No. 50 to Atlanta on NBA Draft.net’s full mock. His stock could inflate as the draft nears, in which case he will be out of the reach of Orlando.
But there will almost certainly be a team willing to draft a 6-foot-10 shot blocker. Rim protection is a valued asset, and one that the Magic most certainly covet.
Next: Aaron Harrison, Kentucky
2. Aaron Harrison
Aaron Harrison is interesting because he may be molded into a point guard. His ball handling is controlled and deliberate, and his poise could stabilize a second unit. He is 6-foot-6 and has a penchant for taking (and hitting) big shots.
Harrison may be one of those guys who does not start but finishes games. It is easy to see him being a spark plug off the bench, while the point guard experiment could potentially be the most rewarding with Harrison.
And remember, it was just a year ago Harrison, along with his brother, were considered Lottery picks. He has talent potential within him. He struggled though getting notice within Kentucky’s crowded, talented backcourt last season.
Next: Ryan Boatright, Connecticut
3. Ryan Boatright
Ryan Boatright is projected to go in the mid-second, but that is a rough projection in the crapshoot round which often features players falling due to concerns.
The concern with Boatright would be that he is 5-foot-11, but the Magic already succeeded with a six-foot Jameer Nelson at the point, so there is not really any worries that he could thrive in the league. And Boatright is not likely to be a starter at the NBA level.
Boatright is a water bug, but he is a great leader and is one of the most intelligent point guards in the class. He was able to play the 2-spot in college, but obviously would only play that role when the Magic went (mega) small. Boatright is deadly in pick and rolls, and while Payton is resting he could fill that niche within the offense.
Next: Nikola Milutinov, Serbia
4. Nikola Milutinov
Nikola Milutinov is a seven-footer from Serbia. He is a really big body and comes from a big man country that has yielded Vlade Divac, Darko Milicic (groan) and Nenad Krstic (It goes without saying sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic is the premier talent to hail from Serbia).
In all, 19 NBA players (past and present) have come from Serbia and Milutinov shows the signs and mobility of a guy who could make a great backup center for a team desiring a high-risk prospect.
Then again, as stated, there are no real risks in the second round and if the Magic never managed to bring Milutinov to the NBA, it would not be a total disaster. He is projected to go No. 60 overall on NBA Draft.net, so the Magic likely will have the chance to draft him barring another team reaching.
Next: Rakeem Christmas, Syracuse
5. Rakeem Christmas
Rakeem Christmas is a four-year player from Syracuse who will be a solid power forward in the NBA.
He boasts a 7-foot-3 wingspan and is a well-composed 250 pounds. He will thrive blocking shots, because he has great timing and the Magic need that rim protection in the worst way.
Christmas initially could make a difference defensively and, in a dream world, he is a poor man’s Serge Ibaka. He is every bit as good rotating on weak-side defensive plays.
Christmas offensively presents a unique challenge given his strength and deceptively quick first step. He is most likely going to be about what Tyrus Thomas was, without coming at the risk of a high lottery pick.
In other words, for the 51st pick, Christmas would be a nice heist. He should be better than fellow Orange Fab Melo who was a first round pick of the Boston Celtics.