Orlando Magic Daily Pre-NBA Draft Lottery Big Board

The Outcasts

Draft boards can be very different depending on what people like in their player. There are plenty of people who see Marvin Bagley and Michael Porter as the two best players in this draft (after the top two, at least).

But despite the Magic’s need to pick based on best player available, there are a few players that despite their talent do not fit the bill.

If Orlando is planning to build around Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon, that means picking a player how is strictly a forward is a no go. The Magic cannot afford to cramp their playing style or waste the pick on someone who is simply an extra body.

These two players have talent and would be fine picks. But do not fit . . . unless the team is letting Gordon walk in free agency.

To many observers, Marvin Bagley looks like a can’t miss prospect. He is the best post scorer in the draft and one of the best overall offensive players in the class. Bagley averaged a robust 21.0 points per game to go with 11.0 rebounds per game. He checks out on the numbers.

But there is a little bit more going on beneath the surface.

Bagley did most of that damage around the basket. He does not have a 3-point game to speak of. That begins to limit what he can do. And for a team looking to find a foundational piece, it is hard to say that Bagley fits that bill.

On top of all this, he is a poor defender. Coach Mike Krzyzewski is loathe to go to a zone defense. Not only did the Duke Blue Devils play almost exclusively zone defenses, but teams still sought to attack Bagley on that end.

In his lone year in college, Bagley showed no defensive instincts or inclination to play on that end. And that is a major concern for any team hoping to use him as a building block.

Before a back injury knocked Michael Porter Jr. out for essentially the entire season, he would have been in line for the number one overall pick. It is pretty hard to overlook that and overlook him for that reason. A team could be getting a real steal in Porter at this point in the draft.

But it is a big risk. Not at least until teams get a close look at his medical records and how he is progressing from a back injury that kept him out for all but three games. And two of those were in the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament.

Porter still was able to get his points. And the way he moves on the floor certainly looks like a star. There is just no watching his game with the Missouri Tigers and being able to come to any conclusions. He has that natural scoring ability but health is the main concern.

For the Orlando Magic, the issue remains the fit with the Magic’s two other forward. They certainly could use a scorer like Porter. And they could give him time to grow and keep Gordon. But that does not add up to much either.

If you pick Porter, you better be sure he is going to be healthy and your guy.