The Orlando Magic did indeed interview Duke forward Justise Winslow at the NBA Draft Combine among other potential first round prospects this week.
The information trickled out slowly from Chicago as the NBA Draft Combine came to a close Friday in Chicago. So far, the reports had the Magic focusing their interviews on second round prospects and on the players they could not get interviews with.
Friday, the public received news that would be much more welcome. The Magic got plenty of work done meeting with first round prospects including Duke’s Justise Winslow, Kentucky’s Trey Lyles and UCLA’s Kevon Looney, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.
These interviews could have happened at any time during the week, so the fact they got publicly made known Friday is no indication of when the interviews actually took place.
Duke's Justise Winslow said he was interviewed by the Orlando Magic this week at the NBA Draft Combine.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) May 15, 2015
Justise Winslow is likely the biggest name the Magic will have interviewed. Winslow is projected by many mock drafts (including me) as the Magic’s pick should they remain at five. It is even likely that the Magic would take Winslow at three since he seems to fit a need.
It also helps that Winslow is pretty good.
He averaged 12.6 points per game, shooting 48.6 percent from the floor and 41.8 percent from beyond the arc in his lone year for Duke. He also posted 6.5 rebounds per game and was known as a solid defender, especially for a freshman.
This will certainly not be the only time the Magic talk to Winslow. With him likely going so high and seemingly fitting the Magic, they will likely invite him to Orlando for an individual interview and workout.
Kentucky forward Trey Lyles said he was interviewed by the Orlando Magic this week at the combine.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) May 15, 2015
Kentucky’s Trey Lyles was another interesting prospect the Magic reportedly chatted with at the Combine.
Lyles is a combo forward who showed a lot of potential but also the need for a lot of improvement after one year at Kentucky. He averaged 8.7 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game.
Lyles played more like a power forward and is projected as a combo forward in the NBA. He will have to find his identity in the NBA now and will have to develop his still forming offensive game. He has the physical tools with a 7-foot-1.5 wingspan, as measured at the Draft Combine.
Obviously, though, Lyles still has a lot of development to go. He is projected as a mid-1st round pick. he probably would not go as a Lottery selection.
The Orlando Magic interviewed power forward Kevon Looney of UCLA today.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) May 15, 2015
Kevon Looney is similar to Lyles, but perhaps a little further developed and more defined. He likely will be a late Lottery pick.
Looney averaged 11.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, shooting 47.0 percent from the floor and 41.5 percent from beyond the arc. Yet, somehow it seemed like Looney was a little bit of a disappointment.
Maybe he stayed out at the 3-point line a little too much rather than working on his low post game, but to be a power forward in the league it will help him if he can continue to work and develop that outside shot.
This is a guy that could very easily make waves with individual workouts and sneak up into the mid-lottery or solidify his spot int he late Lottery.
Arkansas PF Bobby Portis said he was interviewed by the Orlando Magic this week at the NBA Draft Combine.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) May 15, 2015
Bobby Portis is a very interesting prospect who actually won SEC Player of the Year even with all the big-time prospects at Kentucky. He just did everything for the Razorbacks in averaging 17.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.
Portis is more of the traditional athletic power forward. He shot 46.7 percent from three but took less than one per game. So he spends most of his time int he post. He may have to face up more at the NBA level until he puts on more weight (he is at 246 pounds with 8.9 percent body fat).
Portis will have a lot to prove in his individual workouts (he did not participate in shooting drills) and in his first few years in the league.
This guy is quietly a solid player who could slot in the middle of the first round.
One of the Magic's interviews at the combine this week was with Syracuse PF Chris McCullough.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) May 15, 2015
Finally, the Magic also interview power forward Chris McCullough from Syracuse.
He averaged just 9.3 points per game in 16 games this past season, playing alongside Rakeem Christmas, whom the Magic also interviewed.
The 6-foot-9 power forward has always had the physical skills but scouting reports seem to knock the consistency of his effort and how far his skills have developed. He might have been in a good position to stay and replace Rakeem Christmas to improve his prospects.
As things stand, he should go in the early second round.