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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Early Draft thoughts

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 13, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) dunks the ball over Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) dunks the ball over Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dennis Smith Jr., NC State Wolfpack
Feb 25, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) handles the ball in font of Virginia Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (11) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

With a month to go before the NBA Draft, who is your favorite for the Magic’s first pick?

Doyle: I think my favorite for the pick is Dennis Smith Jr. I think Orlando needs to find an answer at point guard. Elfrid Payton is a solid player, but I think the Magic could upgrade the position with Smith. I wish I saw more development from Elfrid Payton, but I think he has reached his ceiling as a player. Smith can score and be the primary ball-handler in my eyes. I do think the Magic draft somebody with a strong offensive game, so Malik Monk and Jayson Tatum are other players I think the Magic look at come draft night.

Palmer: Discussed this plenty on the Google Live event but it is definitely Dennis Smith Jr. He is a three-level scorer with plus athleticism. Of all the guys in this draft, I think Smith has the second-best odds, behind Markelle Fultz, of being a go-to scorer. The Magic desperately need one of those, especially one that can space the floor better than Elfrid Payton.

Rossman-Reich: I am slowly selling myself on Dennis Smith, Jr. At NC State, he had a pretty poor supporting cast and yet he produced. And he produced in a way that translates to the NBA. He has a good change of pace and can get to the basket and the foul line pretty easily. The only question with him is his shooting, which was very unproven at NC State. But I like his versatility a lot — he can play either guard spot — and his scoring and playmaking. It is exactly what the Magic need.

Scricca: Dennis Smith Jr. is the best bet for my money. He would be a great fit in the rotation alongside Elfrid Payton, and because of the Magic’s situation, he would have plenty of time to learn and explore his upside. He could end up starting ahead of, backing up, or playing with Payton. I also don’t think you can go wrong with Malik Monk, who appears ready to knock down threes on an NBA team. The Magic can use as much of that as they can get.

Flynn: Malik Monk. I am probably going to get killed for this, but I want to see more of what Elfrid Payton can do in the up-tempo offense. Adding an athletic scoring threat alongside Payton could increase development for both players.