Orlando Magic Daily
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2017 NBA Lottery can bring much needed stability to Orlando Magic

By Patrick Flynn

Feb 1, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) shoots a layup against the USC Trojans during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) shoots a layup against the USC Trojans during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Josh Jackson, Kansas Jayhawks, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Feb 11, 2017; Lubbock, TX, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) dribbles the ball around Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Zach Smith (11) in the first half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Scenario: The Magic land the #3 pick; Fultz and Tatum off the board, Ball not an option (10.7% chance of getting #3 pick)

Magic should draft: Josh Jackson, SF, Kansas

Why Josh Jackson?

If Lonzo Ball finds himself falling in the draft and is still available with the third pick, I still pass.

Josh Jackson, like Tatum, fills a need for the Magic at small forward. Scouting reports have said Jackson needs to improve his shooting which is shown in the numbers (38 percent 3-point shooting, 57 percent free throw shooting).

But Jackson has been regarded as a superior athlete than Tatum and is projected to be a better defender. Perhaps with the third pick, the Magic can find the wing defender they were looking for when they drafted Victor Oladipo in 2013. And having him and Aaron Gordon together could make them a terror defending the perimeter.

The small forward domino effect

While Terrence Ross at 27 years old showed signs of life with the Magic, he is not the small forward of the future.

In the event the Magic take a small forward in this draft, Terrence Ross can play the sixth man role.

I alluded to this idea earlier with Evan Fournier eventually sliding to the bench to make room for Fultz. Bench scoring is incredibly important. The Magic can create depth if they address their needs from wing players this offseason.

This would also provide coach Frank Vogel with the opportunity to continue the Mario Hezonja experiment as a stretch-4 while using player versatility to employ the switching defensive schemes he likes.

Jackson is a smart and versatile player and fits the profile of players the Magic have liked who could slide into their lineup easily.