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Orlando Magic workouts just starting, Caleb Swanigan due in next week

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 17, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) dribbles the ball while Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Bonzie Colson (35) defends in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Purdue Boilermakers beat Notre Dame Fighting Irish 86-81. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) dribbles the ball while Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Bonzie Colson (35) defends in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Purdue Boilermakers beat Notre Dame Fighting Irish 86-81. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic are just getting started with their workouts. Their focus will turn to the second round next week as Caleb Swanigan is due in town.

The Orlando Magic conducted their first individual workout of the NBA Draft process on Monday when they brought in NC State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. To be sure, that will not be the last workout the team conducts.

The Magic will have a lot of decisions to make when the Draft comes on June 22 and so they are going to be doing a lot of homework in filling in the gaps for those selections in the coming month before the Draft.

Expect the Magic to hold individual workouts for the top prospects they will aim with their first pick. But also expect the team to hold group workouts for prospects they are considering for the 25th pick in the draft (the pick acquired in the Serge Ibaka deal from the Toronto Raptors) and for their second round picks (35th for sure and possibly 33rd depending on the results from the NBA Draft Lottery).

The team will be keeping busy as it has several groups of prospects it needs to get through.

With a lot of the focus this week on the top of the Draft with Tuesday’s NBA Draft Lottery, the Magic appear to be moving forward with some of the prospects they could look at in the second round too.

Purdue Boilermakers big man Caleb Swanigan worked out with the Indiana Pacers on Monday and said he has workouts planned with the Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic. He will arrive in Orlando for a workout next Monday, May 22, according to Nathan Baird of the West Lafayette (Ind.) Journal and Courier. That is two days before the deadline for him to return to school and keep his NCAA eligibility.

Swanigan averaged 18.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game for the Boilermakers last year in earning consensus All-American honors. He is a big body on the block who can grab rebounds and score on putbacks.

He also has developed the ability to step out and hit jumpers, making 44.7 percent of his 3-pointers.

Swanigan’s story is pretty incredible. He weighed well more than 300 pounds when he arrived at Purdue two years ago, but he has slimmed down to 260 pounds. His 6-foot-9, 260-pound frame is extremely difficult to move, yet he has become more mobile and agile.

He clearly did a lot at Purdue last year and is testing the waters for the draft. It is unclear if he will keep his name in the draft or return to West Lafayette.

Swanigan worked out against Oregon Ducks big man Jordan Bell with the Pacers on Monday. At the moment, Swanigan is projected to go in the early second round. He would definitely be in the Magic’s range at the 35th pick if they wanted to take him.

In all likelihood, the Magic will host Swanigan in a group workout setting next week, seeing him go up against other forward prospects in three-on-three situations. This is in addition to going through individual drills.

It is all part of the process the Magic have for filling in the last pieces of draft profiles.

Next: Matt Lloyd: Orlando Magic accomplished a lot at NBA Draft Combine

Orlando will be a big player in this NBA Draft with three — and maybe four — picks in the first 35 selections. They will certainly be making sure no stone goes unturned.