Scott Skiles has established a reputation as a player and a coach who values staunch defense, which makes it more likely the Orlando Magic go with a top-tier defender in the NBA Draft.
Scott Skiles was named head coach of the Orlando Magic on Friday and his hiring will make the process of narrowing down a draft pick much smoother.
Skiles will now have input on which direction goes, and given his previous track record that puts all major defensive players in play.
However, I do think the arrival of Skiles moves defensive standouts like Stanley Johnson and Justise Winslow up the ORL's wish list. WCS too
— Yannis Koutroupis (@YannisNBA) May 29, 2015
Of these players, three stick out as the top of what could be Skiles’ list.
There is the defensive phenom big man Willie Cauley-Stein and lockdown wing defenders Justise Winslow and Stanley Johnson. It may be even boiled down to a matter of which of these guys fortifies the defense the most.
This is not at all to say the Magic are not in need of offense, but general manager Rob Hennigan has already shown a tendency to favor defensive talents and teaming up with Skiles. The Magic seem almost certain to go in that direction.
So which of the three would Orlando go with?
Next: Willie Cauley-Stein