The Orlando Magic have plenty of strong options in the 2017 NBA Draft. They should be looking to acquire an additional Lottery pick to jump start their rebuild again.
The Orlando Magic find themselves with plenty of assets and role players but no star player entering the 2017 NBA Draft.
A new-look front office with a winning track record as the draft approaches creates a unique situation for the Magic. The 2017 NBA Draft will be the most talented draft in years and now is the time to find a star.
To increase the chances of finding a star, the Magic need to trade for an additional Lottery pick. The team needs to flip its assets and reinvest in youth, re-establishing the team’s future core immediately.
Examining the roster, it is universally accepted the only player with potential star power is Aaron Gordon. The rest of the roster is filled with role players. The team’s 29-win season showed the inherent weakness in the roster. Clearly, what the team has does not work as presently constructed.
This is why it would make sense for the Magic to trade up into the Lottery by offering all assets, save for Aaron Gordon or the sixth overall pick, to get that second quality, young player. Keeping the 25th, 33rd and 35th picks for role players should not be an option. The Magic need more.
The goal should be to use current assets and turn them into the beginning stages of a championship core.
This draft is deep, but the talent level drops off significantly after the first 10 picks. Most teams will be drafting specialists or role players after that point with the hopes of catching lightning in a bottle.
Looking at the different tiers the Magic could trade into provides a clear outlook for the future of the team. Trading up also increases their chances of landing the star they need. There are a few different scenarios that may be presented to the Magic to make this happen. There appear to be a few teams willing to make this move.
Teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings all could be looking to move their pick. They might be moved by adding young veterans to their team rather than straight rookies. A combination of players like Evan Fournier, Elfrid Payton, Nikola Vucevic and Mario Hezonja along with the picks the Magic have later in the Draft could get a conversation started.
The Magic should not be unwilling to give up anyone or listen to any offer to improve the roster.
It would still be a long shot. But the Magic would have the opportunity even at the seventh and 10th picks to get a quality player.
Making a roster change of this magnitude would completely change the makeup of the Magic, something the new front office should have in their plans. The roster constructed by Rob Hennigan proved they are nowhere near where they need to be.
The Magic could target a point guard like De’Aaron Fox or a versatile small forward like Josh Jackson. Both Fox and Jackson are the premiere athletes in this draft and will instantly make an impact on the defensive end. Coach Frank Vogel would immediately be able to use that defensive ability.
Making a move to gain a second lottery pick, particularly in the top 10, would give the Magic a lot more flexibility to start their rebuild. They would have two foundational pieces to grow together.
The interesting factor regarding the 2017 NBA Draft is the range in which players are projected to be drafted. Malik Monk or Dennis Smith Jr. could be drafted anywhere between the third and 10th pick. A second Lottery pick might allow the Magic to get two of their main targets in this Draft, further bolstering their core.
Regardless of what else the Magic do, they will still have all their options available with the sixth overall pick. They should still focus on the players available there. These players — Jayson Tatum, Dennis Smith Jr. and Malik Monk are all possible options in the middle of the lottery. And those are all strong options to help the Magic start their rebuild with the new management.
There are countless directions the Magic can go on June 22nd in the NBA Draft. The team will certainly be active. Ownership made a statement with the hiring’s of the new front office and they hear the cries from a tiresome fan base. Now is the time for the Magic to roll the dice.
Next: 2017 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: Who is T.J. Leaf?
There is an opportunity to reshape the franchise and restore hope for a brighter future with this deep draft. The Magic should not be afraid to pull the trigger and make these sweeping changes.