Option 2: Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
Pros:
1. Three-point shooting power forward
2. size (7-foot-1) and athleticism
3. runs court well
Cons:
1. Subpar finisher
2. thin and narrow frame (may not fill out)
3. lacks post game
Kristaps Porzingis at the very worst appears to be Donatas Motiejunas in his rookie season. At his best, he could be the stretch-4 that the Magic wanted Channing Frye to be, with far better defense.
Porzingis may never transition to being an NBA center, but the Magic do not necessarily need or want him to.
Chad Ford of ESPN labeled Porzingis as Orlando’s guy, and we also spent time looking closer at him here at OMD.
His athleticism immediately begins to solve Orlando’s lack of interior defense, while his shooting ability is what makes him particularly attractive.
There is the chance Porzingis is labeled a soft, shooting big man. But maybe that is not such a bad thing. He fits the new mold of NBA 4-men, and he is quick enough to cover most opposing power forwards.
Nikola Vucevic is already adept at stepping out on the court, and the Magic would have two very good players to run pick and pops. With Porzingis supplementing the pick and rolls that Elfrid Payton runs, the chance for Payton to climb significantly in assists rises further.
Next: The best wing player in the 2015 draft?