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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Vol. 28: New Year’s Resolutions

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 6: Bismack Biyombo #11 of the Orlando Magic with his teammates huddle before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 6, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 6: Bismack Biyombo #11 of the Orlando Magic with his teammates huddle before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 6, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Mohamed Bamba, Texas Longhorns, Tennessee State Tigers
AUSTIN, TX – DECEMBER 18: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns blocks out Ken’Darrius Hamilton #4 of the Tennessee State Tigers at the Frank Erwin Center on December 18, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

From Michael Clark via comments

"The mock drafts aren’t deep at any position. This means taking “best player available” may be the only option. I’m not a fan of building teams this way as it makes it difficult to develop a strategy for free agency and trades. What direction do you see us going?"

From Rhompbass 1999 via e-mail

"Which 2018 draft prospect do you think would suit the Magic best and which one do you think Jeff Weltman and John Hammond like."

Figuring out a good draft strategy at this point is going to be extremely difficult. It is still very early in the draft process. Conference play is just starting and teams are really beginning to seriously evaluate players.

For the Orlando Magic themselves, they still have to evaluate what they have on their roster. Shaping their future is as much about defining their present. More specifically, what in their presence they view as part of the long-term vision of the team.

Generally, though, when a team is drafting this high they should take the best player available. Teams at this point in the draft likely need everything. So there is no sense in focusing on a specific position. That is sure to cause the team to make the wrong pick or pass up on surefire talent.

This draft is not deep in positions the Magic need anywhere. There are not many point guards. The list of defensive-minded centers is also pretty thin (at least at the top). There are a lot of versatile 3/4-type players. But, of course, the Magic already have two of those in Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon.

If there is one thing I think the Magic should avoid, it is drafting another tweener wing player. Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac are most likely this team’s future and the core the team should build around. It is still important to find players who fit the team’s overall vision.

That does not mean the Magic should ignore players like Duke Blue Devils forward Marvin Bagley or Missouri Tigers forward Michael Porter Jr. But I think it makes it less likely they go for those players.

Someone like Texas Longhorns center Mohamed Bamba fits the Jeff Weltman/John Hammond profile with his length and athleticism on the defensive end. But he is probably not the best player in this bunch — not with the super athletic Arizona Wildcats center Deandre Ayton available or sharpshooting Oklahoma Sooners guard Trae Young on the board.

There are a ton of options for the Magic. They can fill a need and likely still take the best player available too.

It is still too early to say whether the Magic have a specific target in mind. But I think Ayton, Young and Bamba are the best fits for this team.