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2017 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: The Best of the Rest

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Feb 25, 2017; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) drives to the basket as Miami Hurricanes guard Davon Reed (5) defends during the first half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) drives to the basket as Miami Hurricanes guard Davon Reed (5) defends during the first half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Luke Kennard, Duke

There are a few reports circulating the Magic really like Luke Kennard and may target him as a potential player to trade up to acquire. No doubt, Kennard’s skills fit a need for the Magic as a shooter.

Kennard is a strong shooter, making 43.8 percent from beyond the arc on 5.4 3-point field goal attempts per game. He averaged 19.5 points per game last year for the Duke Blue Devils.

Kennard has a high basketball IQ and knows how to work around screens to get his shot. He has drawn some favorable comparisons to another Duke alum J.J. Redick. He probably is not that good. Redick was a much more accomplished player at the college level. But Kennard has many similar skills.

He also has a similar physical profile.

Like Redick, he is a bit undersized. And like the other players on this list, there are a few scouts who want to try him out at point guard. Duke did not have a true point guard last year and Kennard shared some of that load. But that is not what he is best at. It is hard to see him keeping up with opposing point guards in the NBA.

Every player at the end of the Lottery is going to have some kind of flaw. Kennard certainly has his.

But for a team that needs shooting, even if Kennard is undersized, he could be a player the Magic climb up to get. There just may be some flaws with his size and athleticism on defense to overlook to get him.