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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 23: Draft to the Future!

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 13, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) looks to pass the ball over Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) looks to pass the ball over Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) dunks the ball during the first half against the Troy Trojans in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) dunks the ball during the first half against the Troy Trojans in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

From Michael Martin, via comments

"Phillip, what do you think? Should Orlando begin to start to build now thru the draft(s) over the next few years and add pieces also thru free agency, or should they trade picks this draft plus one or some of our young core players for a 2nd tier veteran to help build around?"

The Orlando Magic are definitely in a weird spot. I do not think there is any denying that.

There is an appetite for the team to make the Playoffs after a franchise-long five years out of the Playoff picture. Fans and ownership all want the team to take the next step sooner rather than later. But, after five years and seemingly going nowhere, the team needs a talent reset.

And Magic CEO Alex Martins is not backing off his belief the team should be competing for championships and building a sustainable winner. It is tough to do that trading for a second-tier veteran.

The complex answer here is the Magic should sort of pursue both paths to accomplish these seemingly competing goals.

The Magic should value the draft above all things right now. The sixth pick should probably be off limits for a trade unless the team is trading up to get the player they absolutely want.

Any success the Magic are going to have is going to be built around the draft. They have to value these picks and look to add cheap young players who can contribute.

If the Magic want to package a couple picks to move up this year, that is fine. Orlando needs these players to supplement their roster and grow it. They need to get younger and more athletic. It was a huge weakness last year.

But, if Orlando has the chance to add a second-tier veteran using players already on the roster, they should go for that too. Orlando needs a veteran to mentor their young player or keep the boat steady as the young player grows and develops into a star. Think of how Dwight Howard grew with Steve Francis and Grant Hill in starring roles until Howard was ready to take over.

That is not to say the Magic will get a player as good as Howard in this year’s Draft. But the Draft is a start. It has to be the start and the core piece to the Magic’s rebuild.

Just like it was in the last rebuild. Just different this time, you know?

Orlando needs to supplement their draft picks with quality veterans. Even veterans who are quasi-stars. The Magic never got that in the last five years.