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2017 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: Who is D.J. Wilson?

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 10, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward D.J. Wilson (5) shoots the ball in front of Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) in the second half during the Big Ten Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward D.J. Wilson (5) shoots the ball in front of Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) in the second half during the Big Ten Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Bad

Like so many of his brethren in the super athletic, super long power forward class, Wilson still lacks many offensive skills. Outside of dunking and putbacks, his game is very rudimentary. And sometimes he tries to do too much.

He relies on his athleticism to create for himself. In the NBA, there are plenty of other athletes who have the same level of athleticism. It is more difficult to stand out.

Wilson shot 53.8 percent from the floor last year and showed some ability to step out and hit the 3-pointer. He made 37.3 percent on 2.9 3-point attempts per game. Perhaps Wilson can continue to improve and develop into a stretch-4.

But Wilson is not going to be able to do a whole lot with the ball in his hands. And he is not necessarily comfortable enough to be a knock-down 3-point shooter.

That is why it was somewhat confusing to see him settle for 3-pointers so often. He seemed to favor that shot more than others — 110 of his 305 field goal attempts (36.1 percent) — came from beyond the arc. That is concerning considering the athleticism he has to get to the basket and perhaps work as a slasher. In the end, that is not what he seemed to prefer for his offense.

This is all the sign of a player who has lived off his athleticism at every level and is still actually developing his basketball skills. Wilson is still coming into his own.

That is not to say he still cannot develop. But with three years of college basketball under his belt, that learning curve is much sharper. Wilson is about what he can be. And coming into the NBA, he is not going to be that featured player. NBA teams will need him to fill a role.

With some of the shots Wilson took when he got the ball, he may still have a bit of the star bug in him. That is not who he will need to be in the NBA.