Orlando Magic Daily 2017 NBA Draft Big Board
The Top Five
The Magic will likely have no chance at drafting Markelle Fultz. But he is far and away the best player in this draft. He is able to create his own shot and attack the basket. He has a solid 3-point shot. He is as complete a player as there can be.
Fultz probably still needs to work on his passing and playmaking. It was hard to tell much about his point guard skills with how much his Washington Huskies team struggled last year. But Fultz still is the most complete player in this Draft.
The team that drafts him is likely drafting the best chance at a star.
If Fultz is the most complete player in the Draft, Lonzo Ball is right behind him. Ball has some questions — none of them having to do with his father — but his offensive skill is undoubted. He is a strong shooter and playmaker, able to get into the paint and distribute.
Ball has questions. His shot form is a question mark because it is relatively slow and untraditional. He is also a very poor defender. Not that he was asked to defend very much with the UCLA Bruins.
Still, a lot of what Ball does is very good. He can play off the ball because of his shooting. And for such a young player, he has an incredible rhythm about his game.
The NBA Draft will get interesting at No. 3. It is unclear what direction the Philadelphia 76ers will go with this pick. If the Magic held the third pick, I know what direction they would go. De’Aaron Fox is the pick the Magic would likely take.
There is the sense the Magic need a point guard. And Fox is the top point guard outside the top two. He has a strong scoring and playmaking knack. His jumper remains a huge question mark, but it is continually improving. The way he finished the season for the Kentucky Wildcats was extremely encouraging.
Fox is clearly a player who can begin contributing quickly as he gets up to NBA speed. He is also someone who has plenty of room to grow. A perfect pick if he is available (which does not look likely).
As I have said before, Josh Jackson is my favorite prospect in this Draft. I absolutely love the way he plays the game. He was able to do a lot with a suspect shot. He is a strong athlete and a great defender. I absolutely love the way he plays. He has a strong basketball sense to him too, able to play without the ball.
Jackson has plenty of weaknesses to worry about. He played mostly power forward for the Kansas Jayhawks and could struggle as he goes out to the perimeter. His shot is still a huge question mark, although he finished the season strong.
For the Magic, his fit is a huge question mark. Because he lacks a consistent jump shot, it is hard to see him fitting in with this current group with Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton in the fold. That would make the Magic pause if he is available with others. But he has star potential and his defense makes him valuable if the Magic are willing to sculpt him.
Dennis Smith Jr. has become the favored pick for the Magic at the sixth pick. And there is good reason. He seems like he would be the perfect fit for the Magic, filling several needs they have.
Smith is a strong scorer and driver, drawing comparisons to Damian Lillard in some circles. He can break players off the dribble and has the athleticism to get to the basket and finish around the rim. That is a skill the Magic need. They simply need scoring. And having a scoring threat at point guard would help the team create more space for their shooters.
Smith needs to improve his defense and prove he can be a better 3-point shooter. HIs length is somewhat concerning too. But he would be a strong prize who would fit the current roster, giving him a chance to grow and eventually shine.