Orlando Magic must land a star in NBA Draft

The Orlando Magic are desperate for star power. The sixth overall pick may allow them to select a franchise-changing prospect.

The time has come.

The Orlando Magic have been in the lottery for six straight seasons. It has been six long years for Magic fans and there does not appear to be an end in sight.

Although president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman and company seem to have a clue, a poor cap situation and lack of foundational pieces make it hard to see a bright future for Orlando.

The team will have to do what it can to improve the roster. And focus is rightly on the sixth overall pick as the salvation. This is where the Magic must find their next future star.

The Magic may not have gotten one of the very top picks from the NBA Draft Lottery. But they still have an opportunity to add the star player they so desperately need.

There are two prospects who could jumpstart the Magic and give them a blueprint for success. Missouri Tigers forward Michael Porter Jr. and Oklahoma Sooners’ guard Trae Young are two prospects who could turn the tide for an organization struggling to win.

Both Porter and Young provide tremendous upside. Trae Young has the potential to be the next Stephen Curry, an elite 3-point shooter with the ability to run the offense. While Porter could be a 6-foot-10 forward who can score anywhere on the floor.

The ceilings these two players have are unmatched outside of Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic, who will be off the board by the time the Magic are on the clock.

Porter and Young also fit in the modern-day NBA. They seem perfect fits.

That is why it is time for Orlando to follow in the footsteps of the NBA’s elite. Strong guard play and athletic forwards who can switch on defense and play in smaller lineups as teams continue to sacrifice size for speed.

Obviously, there is a massive boom-or-bust factor with these prospects. These are home-run swings for a star-caliber player.

Still, Orlando should not shy away from them. The Magic have spent six years without a transcendent player, so another year will not hurt, right?

In all seriousness, Orlando is capped out. They are paying Bismack Biyombo and Evan Fournier big bucks, and have a long wait before they can add an All-Star level talent through free agency.

Which means it will be another long rebuild for the Magic if they cannot land a game-changer in the draft. At some point, Orlando will have to draft its next star player. This year’s sixth overall pick is the perfect time to do it.

Take a look at teams that were stuck in lottery hell and managed to escape. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets all moved forward thanks to star prospect. From there they supplemented their talented piece by adding complementary pieces and players that fit his play style.

Admittedly, the 76ers and Timberwolves sat atop the Draft when they drafted their top guy. Still the Nuggets picked Nikola Jokic in the second round. Even the Utah Jazz sat at the back end of the lottery when they drafted Donovan Mitchell.

Like those teams, it is time for the Magic to make their own luck.

Orlando fans will cite their poor lottery luck when they discuss the gluttony of losing that has faced the franchise since 2012. The team has been the butt of a joke for years now. But they have also failed to develop the picks they had into viable players.

The one All-Star they had, they traded before he could blossom. Victor Oladipo left admitting he never would have become an all-star in the environment in Orlando.

A franchise that has been home to plenty of star power since its inception, Orlando may have their choice at the next star come Draft night.

With Porter and Young likely on the board when the sixth selection comes around, the Magic can finally boast a modern NBA lineup. Headlined by a terrific outside shooter in Young, or an Aaron Gordon-Michael Porter-Jonathan Isaac trio that can suffocate the opposition with its length defensively.

If the Magic snag Porter, Orlando would boast one of the most interesting lineups in the league. A potential small ball lineup of Jonathan Isaac, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. is tantalizing. It would jumpstart the Magic into the modern NBA.

Take a look at the teams left in the playoffs. Can you find a 7-footer on the floor?

Orlando would have players who can switch on nearly any matchup. Gordon and Isaac already have shown their prowess defensively. If Porter can develop on that side of the ball, it could form a special group.

Again, the ability to switch on defense with the otherworldly outside shooting in the NBA is key. The Magic need to play copycat and take a look at the NBA’s elite.

Orlando Magic

Another plus with Porter is his offensive game. He already has a solid outside shot and although he wasn’t able to put it on display at Missouri has a very versatile offensive game. There is a reason Porter was the number two recruit coming out of high school.

With a healthy freshman campaign, Porter would be in the conversation with Doncic and Ayton. If he gets medical clearance, he would would be a no-brainer for the Magic.

In regards to Young, a point guard is such a massive need for the Magic. Young is widely regarded as the top point guard prospect in this class. With a knack for finding the open man, and limitless range with his jumper, it is hard to shy away from the Curry comparisons.

Now, if Young is even half the player Curry is, he should be on the Magic’s radar with the sixth pick. But with no viable starting option at guard, and a lack of outside shooting, Young makes a ton of sense for the Magic too. Just as much as Porter would.

In his freshman season at Oklahoma, Young averaged 27.4 points per contest and 8.7 assists per contest, both of which led the nation.

Of course, there are major question marks with both of these players. Porter with his injury history, and Young with his alarmingly high turnovers and small frame. But none of them outweigh the potential.

These are the two players with the most star potential and the chance to change the Magic into a more modern, better team.

Next: Playoffs leaving dilemma for rebuilding teams

Either Young or Porter could propel the Magic into the playoff picture in the blink of an eye. The rebuild has been long and has caused plenty of stress for Magic fans, but that could all end on June 21.