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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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Keep an eye on. . .

It feels criminal to make a “players to watch” post and not at least mention Lonnie Walker, Kevin Knox, Trevon Duval and Robert Williams. So I will use this slide to give a brief rundown of each of those four lottery prospects.

Miami Hurricanes guard Lonnie Walker is a wing with eye-popping athleticism. Not only does he have a 6-foot-9 wingspan that should pique John Hammond’s curiosity, but he is a reliable shooter from three. He has the measurables and much of the skill necessary to be a productive two-guard on both ends of the court.

There is a premium on two-way wings in the NBA, so you really cannot go wrong picking a guy who profiles so similarly – skill-wise and athletically – to the San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green.

If the Magic want to go big, there are a few more players to explore.

NBA centers are asked primarily to protect the rim on defense and attack it on offense out of the pick-and-roll. Anything else is a bonus. The Magic have not had a big man who can effectively fill those two basic roles in quite some time.

Texas A&M Aggies center Robert Williams is only 6-foot-9, somewhat undersized for the center position. But his 7-foot-4 wingspan compensates for that. He fills those two basic roles and has some upside as a multi-positional defender.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

If and when Kentucky Wildcats center Kevin Knox fills out his physical frame, he could be a two-way terror. It is hard to determine where he would fit alongside Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac, but his potential as a versatile on and off-ball scorer from the power forward position is undeniable.

The nearly 7-foot wingspan also does not hurt. Knox is not an obvious fit on this Magic roster, but he could certainly end up being the best player available.

Finally, if the Magic decide they need a point guard but one who fits the preferred Hammond physical mold, Duke Blue Devils guard Trevon Duval could be an interesting option.

His 6-foot-9 wingspan gives him plenty of defensive upside, but his lack of shooting and sometimes erratic play are both major detriments to his NBA potential. If Hammond has shown anything with his draft history, it is that skill questions at lower levels will not necessarily stop him from picking the ideal physical prospect.

See: Giannis Antetokounmpo.

This draft is full of intriguing options at all five positions. The Magic have a lot of needs — point guard, wing, big – so there is no clear frontrunner right now for who they should pick in their projected range. It is still too early for that anyway with conference season yet to begin.

Next: Mario Hezonja carving out a role for himself

Whatever direction the front office decides to take in this draft should be instructive when trying to ascertain where they see the team right now and how they plan to build it into a contender.