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NBA Draft prospects to watch for the Orlando Magic: Christmas Edition

By Ricky Scricca

TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 09: Collin Sexton #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide passes the ball around Allonzo Trier #35 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the college basketball game at McKale Center on December 9, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Crimson Tide 88-82. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 09: Collin Sexton #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide passes the ball around Allonzo Trier #35 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the college basketball game at McKale Center on December 9, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Crimson Tide 88-82. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Trae Young, Oklahoma

Trae Young’s Stephen Curry-esque highlight reels have helped him rise from a relative unknown to a potential lottery pick. He has some pronounced weaknesses, but his playmaking upside and craft as a ball-handler make him more than just a gunner at the point guard position.

The Curry comparison is overblown and lazy. Sure, they both pull up for threes at a ridiculous range, and they are both undersized even for their position. But Curry has all-time great ball-handling ability and is one of the league’s most underrated finishers at the rim. He is also an underrated defender who knows how to make the most of his size and quickness.

Young has shown flashes of finishing ability.

But he is a defensive sieve at this point. With a lightning-quick first step he certainly has the potential for an elite handle, but he is not near Curry’s level just yet.

So we can relax with comparing Young to a two-time MVP, NBA champion and all-time great.

Young is still really good. His passing vision, both in transition and in the halfcourt, has gone massively underrated. He is a score-first point guard but he has the requisite “pure point guard” skills in spades.

His versatility as a shooter is also important to note. Although he is usually bringing the ball up and doing most of the ball-handling at Oklahoma, he has also shown the ability to effectively run off screens and knock down jumpers off the ball.

Even if he will not be pulling up from the logo as much in the NBA, his quick trigger and gravity as a shooter can help any NBA offense by allowing his teammates more space to operate and forcing defenders out beyond the arc. That effect makes help defense much costlier.

If we envision him playing for the Magic, having multiple strong, versatile wing defenders who can shoot could help mask some of his weaknesses. Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon jump off the page as players who could benefit from his gravity and passing ability but also help alleviate some of the defensive pressure on him at the point of attack.

Young does not exactly fit the John Hammond/Jeff Weltman mold of wingspan and athleticism. But he could still be a great fit with this team, especially considering Elfrid Payton’s return is anything but a guarantee.

The Magic will need a new young point guard prospect and Young fits the bill.