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2015 NBA Draft: Pros and Cons of 4 Magic Draft Prospects

By Brett David Roberts

Jan 17, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Stanley Johnson (5) shoots the ball as he is defended by Utah Utes forward Kyle Kuzma (35) and center Dallin Bachynski (31) during the second half at McKale Center. Arizona won 69-51. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Stanley Johnson (5) shoots the ball as he is defended by Utah Utes forward Kyle Kuzma (35) and center Dallin Bachynski (31) during the second half at McKale Center. Arizona won 69-51. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 18, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Stanley Johnson (5) shoots a layup during practice before the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Stanley Johnson (5) shoots a layup during practice before the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Option 4: Stanley Johnson, G/F, Arizona

Pros:

1. Long wing defender with lockdown potential

2. three-point shooter

3. versatile offensively

Cons:

1. Inconsistency

2. Not an elite finisher off one foot; limits transition abilities

3. may be limited to 3-spot

Stanley Johnson at one point was the guy that Magic fans were keying in on prior to the NCAA tournament. Since that point, many became far more enamored with Justise Winslow.

But Winslow is not head and shoulders above Johnson and the Arizona swingman will be a mid-lottery pick at the minimum.

The chance is there, of course, that Johnson WOWs the Magic and woos the team into selecting him fifth overall. He solves a couple more problems beyond his ability to cover small forwards and hit the triple.

Most importantly, he can get to the free throw line, an area Orlando struggled with mightily in the past two seasons. He is capable of impacting the offense in a variety of ways, but he may not be Orlando’s best option for a transition finisher. He also does not handle contact well, but that is something he and Victor Oladipo could spend time working on together.

Johnson would be well suited to spend some time in the weight room and hope to develop into a guy capable of bodying up with powerful forwards like Carmelo Anthony. His length gives him the chance to be a lot like Tayshaun Prince, but hopefully (for the team that selects him) considerably more offense.

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