The Orlando Magic’s big day is finally here. The team will transform its franchise with a stellar 2017 Draft. I preview the big day on the podcast.
Orlando Magic fans have waited for Thursday ever since the regular season ended April 15. They were probably waiting for June 22 to come long before that when the team’s 29-win season came off the rails. A year where Orlando fans were hoping to be playing for the Playoffs, turned into another long slog through the sometimes interminable 82-game schedule.
The pain of the 2017 season is only made better by the hope of the 2017 Draft.
If there was a year to accidentally be very bad, this Draft is the one. While the draft may not ultimately be as good as some like to believe — it is not the 2003 Draft, sorry — it still has several star-caliber players. As Chad Ford of ESPN Insider wrote in his discussions with scouts and NBA executives, the consensus is there are more stars in this draft than in recent memory.
This is all to say, the Magic are in a good position with the sixth pick. It looks like they will have their choice between two of these three — Jayson Tatum, Dennis Smith and Jonathan Isaac. Someone will inevitably fall too — Josh Jackson’s spot in the top five suddenly looks a bit more precarious and who knows if De’Aaron Fox holds where he is projected to go?
Orlando Magic
This Draft is unpredictable as always. But the Magic have a lot to be pleased about as they evaluate their options ahead of the Draft.
But Orlando also has three other picks — Nos. 25, 33 and 35. That gives them even more options to trade up and find a player they really like or to add talented players at their position.
In one way or another, Jeff Weltman’s first draft as president of basketball operations is going to be one that transforms the team and sets it in a direction closer toward competitiveness or back toward rebuilding.
Thursday will be an exciting day. And the Magic have to know every part of this draft.
The best way to do that is to talk through everything. So I called up Orlando Pinstriped Post’s Aaron Goldstone to discuss all things NBA Draft.
Where would the Magic go at No. 6? What are their potential options? What can the Magic do to trade up and who would they take? And what players could they steal at No. 25 or in the second round?
We covered it all on this episode of the Orlando Magic Daily Podcast:
On This Episode
- Just how good is this NBA Draft and what are its strengths and weaknesses?
- Reactions to the Boston Celtics trading the top overall pick
- Review of the top prospects including Jayson Tatum, Jonathan Isaac and Dennis Smith
- How the Orlando Magic’s pick at six will set the order for the rest of the Draft
- How do the Magic evaluate the point guards in this Draft in light of Elfrid Payton‘s status?
- Why Dennis Smith is a good fit for the Orlando Magic — along with the best player
- Jonathan Isaac’s fit and what it would mean for Aaron Gordon
- Frank Ntilikina’s outside shot at being No. 6? No, probably not… I mean, maybe?
- Who would the Magic trade up for in the late Lottery
- What needs should the Magic look to add at pick No. 25?
- What should the Magic look for with their later picks?
- Which players should we look out for in the second round?
The NBA Draft presents plenty of opportunity for the Magic. Thursday should be an exciting time.
Be sure to follow Aaron Goldstone on Twitter @GoldstoneAaron and check out his work at Orlando Pinstriped Post.
Next: Orlando Magic Draft: Who stands to lose most?
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