Orlando Magic Draft: Who stands to lose the most?

Mario Hezonja and Stephen Zimmerman

While starters and rotation players like Aaron Gordon are affected, so are the Magic’s supporting cast. More players on the roster means a bigger minutes crunch for players on the rotation’s fringes.

Mario Hezonja, preparing to enter his third NBA season, would see his already-reduced minutes cut further should the Magic draft someone like Josh Jackson or Malik Monk. Even taking wings with the second round picks or the 25th pick will put more pressure on Hezonja to perform and earn his keep.

Hezonja has been a huge disappointment since being drafted in 2015, averaging only 4.9 points per game. His shooting — advertised as a strength — has been non-existent, and his defense is abysmal.

As for Stephen Zimmerman, the Magic’s 2016 second-round draft pick, is unlikely to see much action anyway. Lacking the strength and skill for the NBA level at present, he remains a project, and thus is unlikely to be affected too much by the draft.

The only way he is affected is if the Magic feel he is too much of a project for their liking. It is uncertain at this point whether the Magic will guarantee his second year and carry him past training camp.