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

By Philip Rossman-Reich

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 23: Wendell Carter Jr #34 of the Duke Blue Devils shoots the ball against the Syracuse Orange during the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - MARCH 23: Wendell Carter Jr #34 of the Duke Blue Devils shoots the ball against the Syracuse Orange during the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildcats‘ group of freshman this year were not nearly as impressive as they usually are. But there are still obviously some talented players. If a bit rough around the edges.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was likely the best of the bunch. He seemed to be the most consistent part of the Wildcats throughout the season, putting in some big games at big moments to help the team throughout.

Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 14.4 points per game and 5.5 assists per game. He shot 40.4 percent from beyond the arc with a 51.6 percent effective field goal percentage. That 40.4 percent came on limited attempts — just 1.5 per game.

But outside of presumptive top pick Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the most intriguing mix of length and point guard ability in the draft. He is listed at 6-foot-6, but plays comfortably on the ball, able to get into the lane and score.

His length would undoubtedly be valuable at the NBA level defensively. As would his ability to attack and finish at the rim. And make passes in transition.

Gilgeous-Alexander checks a lot of boxes for sure.

The questions will remain whether he can run the point guard position full time. Especially at the NBA level. He sometimes overdribbles and waits too long to attack. There are still finer points to the position he has to get down.

That is the project in him. But there is also clearly the supreme talent that works for him too. The question for whichever team that drafts him is how best to unlock it.

He was not the most consistent player at Kentucky and that does not bode well for his chances. Taking him at No. 6 would certainly be a stretch.

Next: Orlando Magic in fine position at No. 6

Still, there may not be a point guard with more length and intriguing potential than Gilgeous-Alexander. At least, outside that top group. And if he can impress in workouts and with his measurements, maybe he is a dark horse to enter this conversation.