6 players the Orlando Magic could pick in the 2018 NBA Draft

Michael Porter Jr., F Missouri

Michael Porter Jr. might very well have been the top pick in this draft if he had made it through the college season healthy. Unfortunately, two games in, his whole season got upended. A back injury knocked him out until the conference tournaments.

And in those two games in the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament, Porter hardly looked like himself. There were hints of what he could do, but he was not the player he could have been. Not even close.

To see him come back from the injury before the end of the season and get even a little bit of experience had some value for sure. It at least proved he was healthy and could hold his own on the court. Now he just has to get his rhythm and timing back.

What we do know about Porter is that he is a seemingly natural scorer. He is comfortable on the ball looking for his own shot. Porter can hunt for his own shot, get to the basket and finish with emphasis and flare.

If Porter had made it through the entire college season, there is no doubt he would be a top three pick. He has that kind of talent. The question remains whether the back injury is one that will linger and hamper his career or whether that is something he has already overcome fully.

The talent is clearly there. But the questions remain.

For the Magic, they will have to make a decision if Porter is their power forward or combo forward of the future. Likely over Aaron Gordon as he enters restricted free agency.

More than any other player, Porter has the least fit with the Magic’s seeming core. But he also has the most potential to grow into a star. There is a ton of risk in Porter, but one that is certainly worth taking.

He will have to shine in his workouts more than most in this process.