Last six sixth overall picks should give Orlando Magic hope for NBA Draft
By S.W. Guest
The Orlando Magic came out of the NBA Draft Lottery with the sixth overall pick. Not ideal for a rebuilding team. But it still provides historic opportunity
Things did not go to plan for the Orlando Magic at last week’s NBA Draft Lottery. The franchise began the night hoping to move up in the order, but ended it with the sixth overall pick.
Deserted by the luck that saw the club land the number one overall pick in 1992, 1993 and 2004, Magic fans were left with little choice but to embrace the fact that this is one of the deepest draft classes in recent years.
Most big boards have Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball going first and second respectively. But beyond that, the Draft itself is, well, a lottery. Good players can be found anywhere.
The Magic’s chances of landing the kind of franchise-changing player this rebuild so desperately needs may have taken a bit of a hit, but it is now up to new appointments Jeff Weltman and John Hammond (who, it is worth noting, was part of the team that drafted Giannis Antetokounmpo 15th overall in 2013) to work with what they have to find the best player they possibly can.
In this draft, especially, it seems there are some very good players the Magic could pursue. From Dennis Smith to Jayson Tatum to De’Aaron Fox to Malik Monk to Jonathan Isaac, there are quality young players who have star potential within them. The Magic should still get a very good player with the sixth overall pick.
Thankfully a quick look at the last six players drafted sixth overall reveals that there is often plenty of talent to be had at that spot.