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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Vol. 29: Back to the future

By Philip Rossman-Reich

MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 10: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic walks backcourt during a game during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on January 10, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 10: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic walks backcourt during a game during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on January 10, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Trae Young, Oklahoma Sooners
Trae Young, Oklahoma Sooners /

From Michael Clark (via comments) 2/14 13:49

"The top 6 in mock drafts show a very deverse group of individuals. Some of what the Magic do in the next 6 months will circle around this pick. I loved Young but he’s getting shut down and not improving his game. What direction do you think they should go? How would it impact other decisions?"

The Orlando Magic are in line for a top pick. As the NCAA Tournament gets set to start, the Magic are tied for the third-worst record in the league. That comes with the prospect of getting a top three pick.

In any case, the Magic are going to be drafting among the top seven guys in this year’s draft. And there are a clear seven players who have star potential and have separated themselves from the rest of the pack in this draft. The NCAA Tournament is not going to change that — sorry Collin Sexton, you are just on the outside.

Orlando though is in an interesting place when it comes to the Draft. They are clearly in bad shape. They need to inject talent into the roster. You do not finish where Orlando is right now without needing just about everything.

And drafting as high as the Magic will draft, taking the best player available is the best option.

But Orlando also has young, developing players at two key positions. It is not like the Magic are starting from scratch. Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac likely have the forward positions locked down for the next four years at least (assuming the team matches any offer on Gordon).

This will all affect the Magic’s draft decisions. They will be looking to improve their talent while also finding something that fits into the core they are currently building.

My suspicion is the Magic are less likely to take Duke Blue Devils forward Marvin Bagley or Missouri Tigers forward Michael Porter Jr. Both players play the same position as Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. So it would not make sense to duplicate those skills — unless the Magic truly believe they will be better than Gordon and they are ready to move on from him.

So with that top pick, I take the best player available with that one caveat. I avoid the forwards.

Yes, the Magic need a point guard. That need is more apparent since the Elfrid Payton trade. But that does not mean they should focus on a point guard or do everything they can to draft Oklahoma Sooners guard Trae Young.

There are plenty of talented players that fit a need for the Magic — a true defensive center namely with the potential to grow offensively. So I think best player available is the right path to take.