The Orlando Magic may have been fortunate enough to land the No. 5 overall pick, but Chad Ford of ESPN reports that by no means ensures Orlando will keep its pick.
The Magic are sitting rather pretty in the 2015 draft. They landed the desired top-5 pick that is sure to yield one of the more surefire prospects in the class. However, Orlando has won just 68 games in the past three seasons and may be seeking to get more out of the pick than one solitary prospect.
For this reason, Chad Ford of ESPN says the Orlando is one of four teams (the others being Sacramento, Detroit and Charlotte) considering dealing its lottery pick even at this early stage.
Expect the Magic, Kings, Pistons and Hornets to seriously consider trading their picks. All 4 want to accelerate rebuild
— NBA Big Board (@chadfordinsider) May 20, 2015
There are a lot of reasons Ford’s prediction makes sense. Orlando’s needs are too plentiful for even the likes of Justise Winslow to adequately shore them all up. Rim protection, outside shooting and another wing defender are all on the bill. The Magic really only have its backcourt locked in as starters of the future, even with a borderline All-Star starting at center.
Nikola Vucevic’s shortcomings defensively seem all the more highlighted with several shot blockers available in this draft.
But would the Magic trade down for a later lottery pick or simply seek a pick in an upcoming draft while gaining some veteran relief?
There are some solid options outside the top five if Orlando sought to obtain a pick in the latter half of the lottery.
Among those options are Willie Cauley-Stein, Sam Dekker, Stanley Johnson, Kevon Looney or Myles Turner.
Kristaps Porzingis and Mario Hezonja’s stocks are very much in the air, too, as is typically the case with international prospects. If teams shied away from Euros citing past disasters, the Magic could get either of them later in the lottery.
There is also the option of snagging a mid-first round pick and taking a guy who falls in the draft. Orlando’s spot will be coveted, and do not think general manager Rob Hennigan is going to rule out the possibility of dealing the pick.
Cauley-Stein would change the Magic’s construction, or at least he could.
Cauley-Stein has the speed to step out and cover on the perimeter, be it stretch-4s or switching onto a guard defending the pick and roll. And that pick and roll defense will be something Cauley-Stein shines at from day one.
As co-editor Phillip Rossman-Reich cited during the podcast, he offers the NBA readiness to start on opening day. A three-year starter from a major program typically does.
And he has been ready to leap into the NBA for the past two drafts.
Cauley-Stein’s value is very difficult to project, as it is difficult to ascertain how much teams will shy away due to his limited offensive upside. Even so, with Nikola Vucevic able to step out and knock down the mid-range jumper, Cauley-Stein could function as a center on the offensive end while allowing Vucevic to cover the opposing team’s center on the other end.
South Bound & Down
We have been furiously scouting Cauley-Stein dating back to the NCAA tournament, and his NBA readiness is certain to make him a top-10 pick, but no one is sure beyond that just how high he goes.
NBADraft.net has Cauley-Stein slated to go No. 11 overall while Draft Express has him at No. 6. That is quite a disparity, isn’t it?
In this manner, a twin-towers lineup could prove oddly effective on both ends of the court. It is a look not often fielded by teams in today’s era, but by no means is it an obsolete model.
Beyond Cauley-Stein, the Magic would have further options to add depth with a late lottery pick, or even gamble on a guy whose upside could render him a steal.
Colby Giacubeno of Hoops Habit boldly considers Arizona swingman Stanley Johnson the best player in the class, basing it not just on his own proclamation but also on the versatile skill set and defensive flexibility he will render a team with:
"This year, Johnson could be the Paul George of this draft. The more big-named players such as Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor, and D’Angelo Russell are projected to be the first three players off the board, but Johnson will be the player who has the most impact on whatever team drafts him."
Johnson claims he is able to guard four positions, and while the power forward slot would certainly be a dubious and situational version thereof, his ability to cover point guards and both wing spots is not really as much in question.
He is also a deadly shooter, so he could function as a “three and D” guy right off the bat, while developing his game to become a more refined scorer as the seasons pass.
Swarm and Sting
Forwards Kevon Looney and Myles Turner are both longer-term prospects, and longer-shots at that. Each needs bulk to play the 4-spot, and if the Magic took either forward it would be hoping for an impact two to three seasons from now.
The main purpose of trading down is to obtain guy(s) who could make a quicker, more immediate impact.
The Magic are seeking to accelerate the rebuild according to Ford, so neither of these guys really fit the bill of that M.O.
Turner could be the next LaMarcus Aldridge, but he could just as easily be the next Tyrus Thomas. Looney could be the next Chris Bosh or the next David Vaughn (long-time Magic fans will appreciate this comparison).
Dekker is an interesting pick despite many claiming he lacks upside. He is planning to add more muscle so he can match up with power forwards, and he is already a very good perimeter defender.
He is likely going to be a sixth man in his NBA career, but any astute fan knows the value of a guy who can come in and provide scoring and defense consistently.
The former Wisconsin Badger played is best basketball in the NCAA tournament in helping the Badgers finish runner-up. But if he is showcasing his game on the biggest stage at the college level, surely some of that clutch talent will transpire in the Association.
Dekker favorably compares to big small forwards of eras begone, in particular Detlef Schrempf and Derrick McKey. Both were 6’10” small forwards capable of locking down both 3s and 4s.
That is Dekker’s calling card and what he could become. Some have tried to compare him to Luol Deng or even Keith Van Horn, but the truth is that his defensive game is better than Van Horn’s and his defense is not quite on Deng’s level.
While Dekker may never have the makings of a perennial All-Star, if the Magic could obtain him while unloading the contract of Channing Frye and obtaining a veteran and maybe a trade exception?
That would be worth trading down for, even if the idea of dealing a top-five pick likely does not seem to make sense to most fans.
However, with the rebuild having made little progress it may be time to make moves for more immediate help than one rookie can provide.