Orlando Magic Daily
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2015 NBA Draft: 4 prospects due to climb draft boards

By Brett David Roberts

Jan 22, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies center Robert Upshaw (24) blocks an attempt by Colorado Buffaloes guard Askia Booker (0) in the second half at the Coors Events Center. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 52-50. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies center Robert Upshaw (24) blocks an attempt by Colorado Buffaloes guard Askia Booker (0) in the second half at the Coors Events Center. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 52-50. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona

Mar 5, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Stanley Johnson (5) dribbles around California Golden Bears guard Tyrone Wallace (3) during the second half at McKale Center. Arizona won 99-60. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Stanley Johnson (5) dribbles around California Golden Bears guard Tyrone Wallace (3) during the second half at McKale Center. Arizona won 99-60. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

Stanley Johnson is currently projected to go No. 8 overall by NBADraft.net and No. 9 by Draft Express.

But might he not actually end up moving all the way up to Orlando’s pick at No. 5? That would preclude the possibility of trading down to pick him up with some additional assets.

Johnson offers some valuable traits that are not found in Justise Winslow that may make Orlando or even Sacramento or Denver select him in the top seven. Johnson is a better shooter than Winslow and he is more well suited to full-time small forward duties.

Defensively, it is tough to say which is the better option, but to be sure both offer lock-down potential on the wing. What may make Johnson ultimately more valuable than Winslow is that he can play the 4-spot in small-ball lineups, and he is longer than Winslow which will enable him to pester hot point guards if the Magic need him to.

Orlando already tried that this past season with Maurice Harkless, and it turned out to be one of the more impressive things Harkless did in an otherwise depressing season. Johnson, though, is a far superior prospect to Harkless, even considering Harkless’ initial high upside he was billed to have when Philadelphia selected him in 2013.

Johnson has nearly a seven-foot wingspan despite standing just 6-foot-6.5 (with shoes). He has every chance in the world to be Andre Iguodala. And that is exactly what Orlando needs. He could end up impressing staff enough that it makes it easy to bill him as the small forward of the future.

Moreover, with the reports May 23 that Scott Skiles is the leading candidate for the coaching job, Tobias Harris’ future is precarious — he and Skiles failed to see eye-to-eye while both were in Milwaukee, allowing the Magic to swoop in and give him a situation he would actually play.

If the Magic are looking for a definitive and true small forward, Johnson makes a lot of sense.

Next: The Defensive Monster