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Orlando Magic: 15 best draft picks of all time

By Philip Rossman-Reich

AUBURN HILLS, MI - JUNE 30: Chris Webber, number one overall pick by the Golden State Warriors, shakes hands with Penny Hardaway, number three overall pick by the Orlando Magic, during the NBA Draft at The Palace of Auburn Hills on June 30, 1993 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - JUNE 30: Chris Webber, number one overall pick by the Golden State Warriors, shakes hands with Penny Hardaway, number three overall pick by the Orlando Magic, during the NBA Draft at The Palace of Auburn Hills on June 30, 1993 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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2013 — Round 1, Pick 2

Excuse Orlando Magic fans for still being a bit sore for seeing Victor Oladipo make the All-Star team with the Indiana Pacers. There is the continued and growing belief that it should be in a Magic uniform he is doing all those things.

The guy to blame got fired a year after dealing Victor Oladipo to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Serge Ibaka. There cannot be any looking back in a failed rebuild, just pushing a way forward.

But Oladipo doing what he did for the Pacers in the 2018 season was exactly what Magic fans were hoping for Oladipo to do in three largely successful and promising years in pinstripes.

Oladipo averaged 15.9 points per game and 4.0 assists per game in his three seasons with the Magic. His 3-point shot was never consistent and his drives could be a bit wild, but the potential was all there.

He went toe to toe with Russell Westbrook in a double-overtime game against the Thunder in 2016. He had a 40-plus point game against the Cleveland Cavaliers that year too. He had big scoring performances in him. In addition to the occasional triple-double.

Oladipo was a multi-talented and likable player. Someone the team could build around. They just lost faith. Let that be the lesson of Oladipo’s three years. If a player shows potential, keep the faith.