The Orlando Magic did not get the Lottery luck they needed. But they still have something to look ahead to. Even if the future seems a bit uncertain.
The Orlando Magic went through an entire season of frustration and disappointment. They heaped it on top of a pile of six seasons’ worth of frustration and disappointment. Everything feels at a low. The fans are hungry for any kind of success and skeptical of any decision the team might make.
That has been warranted after getting promised a lot the last rebuild. And Jeff Weltman’s patient process means even more waiting. But that is all he can do.
That is unless they can hit in the Draft. And the Magic have a good history with the Draft… provided they land the top pick. That has always been the salvation.
Maybe that is where fans are disappointed that the team landed exactly where they were always supposed to — with the sixth pick in the Draft. Orlando fans likely had some frustration the team managed to win a few more games late in the season — despite some odd lineups Frank Vogel employed.
There is no taking that back.
The ongoing coaching search, too, has fans on edge. The team has blown past the Lottery and is nearly in June without giving much clue to where the team is in the process. Or who they might be targeting.
The future for the team is all up in the air. Everything from the coach, to the roster and to the draft pick. Even at No. 6, the Magic have to get this pick right and establish a key core player for the team’s future. This is indeed a foundational pick.
Orlando may not be able to reform the entire team in one summer. The Magic might not even improve their win total next year. But they will begin heading down a better path. That much is clear. Or that is at least what they have to accomplish this summer — creating that path forward.
This uncertain future though is still rife with discussion. There is still a lot of different ways the team could go. A lot of different possibilities.
The team is in a holding pattern. And so that seems like a good time to test the waters of the rebuild and what direction the Magic should go in our latest Orlando Magic Daily roundtable.
What are your feelings about landing with the sixth pick? Is this a tragedy or can the team still accomplish its goals?
Ryan Doyle (@RDoyle27): I mean, what did everyone expect to happen? The Orlando Magic were slated to pick sixth, and that is where they landed. Secondly, this is a new front office. Jeff Weltman and John Hammond have made one pick and it is hard to bring history into play when both have had nothing to do with Rob Hennigan’s failed rebuild. The sixth pick offers plenty of options. They may not land a top-three prospect. But in terms of star power, Trae Young and Michael Porter Jr. will be on the board when Orlando is on the clock. I am not panicking, Weltman and Hammond have done a solid job thus far.
Spencer Henderson (@SpencerRHenders): Fans in Orlando should have no faith in the organization picking at six. This is definitely a tragedy. Only because the Orlando Magic organization have not selected well in the draft since Dwight Howard left. The Magic could have been one of the best teams in the East by now, judging by the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers’ quick ascent. The only difference between the franchises is the Celtics and 76ers have actually taken advantages of their picks. While the Celtics have succeeded by selecting Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. So have the 76ers with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. The Magic have failed to capitalize on all five lottery picks.
Philip Rossman-Reich (@philiprr_omd): I am not one to wring my hands over the NBA Draft Lottery results. It certainly is a bad look that one of the teams that the Orlando Magic would have tied with a loss in the final game of the season ended up in the top three. But this is not a total disaster. This is a deep draft with at least five or six potential stars. The Magic will get their crack at one of them. Although the decision may not be great. And even after that group, there are some good players who should play a solid role. Yes, Orlando needs a star player and the Draft is the best place to get it. But you have to make your own luck at some point. And Orlando can still do that at six.
Orlando Magic
Ricky Scricca (@scricca1): Obviously a better result would have been nice. But this is still a solid position to be in. Trae Young will probably be available as an upside play and potential foundational offensive piece. Wendell Carter Jr., Jaren Jackson Jr. and Mohamed Bamba may be there as well. And there is the option to trade back and get multiple lottery picks (the 12th and 13th). A top-five selection could have been really helpful but I think there are a lot of interesting directions to go at 6.
Jean Racine (@realjeanracine): I am disappointed the Orlando Magic did not get a higher pick than sixth. At the very least, I was expecting the Magic to receive the fifth pick. But this is not a tragedy and the team can still achieve its goals. With the sixth pick, Orlando is in line to draft a potential franchise-changer if Michael Porter and Trae Young are still available. These players have huge upside with Young getting the edge because of his Stephen Curry-like game.
Zach Palmer (@FmrTankCommandr): I think that calling it a tragedy would be a bit of an overreaction, but it definitely sucks. I am not sure what the math is but it is hard for me to believe it was statistically probable the Orlando Magic would end up either staying put or falling in lottery position for six straight seasons. Now, with this bad luck, Orlando is picking sixth and may be out of range of what most would consider a blue-chip prospect. That said, picking sixth will still grant Orlando a solid player. I am interested in trying to evaluate what Orlando’s baseline criteria for drafting is after the pick is made.
Patrick Flynn (@PFlynn33): It is definitely a let down for the Magic not to move up in the lottery six years in a row. While I do think the Magic will be able to find a player who can contribute to a future playoff team, they need more than that. The Magic need a star. Of course, you never know how a player is going to develop the day you draft them, so they hypothetically could still find a future All-Star with the sixth pick. But my confidence in that happening is relatively low. If the Magic stick with the sixth pick and do not find a way to move into the top three it is my opinion they are setting themselves back at least another year, again.
Settle the debate… best player available or position?
Doyle: Best player available no question. Does Orlando have answers anywhere on the floor? They are desperate for talent. I do not care if a fit might be awkward at first, the Magic need talent at any position. I like Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac, but aside from them, are there any building blocks on the roster? Selecting the best player has to be the Magic’s philosophy in upcoming drafts.
Henderson: Michael Porter Jr. is the best player in the draft and it might not be close. First of all, he is only 19 years old and stands 6-foot-10 with a pull-up jumper and his confidence is through the roof. And he may grow another inch or two. According to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, he has already called out the players projected to be selected in front of him and says he is the best player in the Draft. That kind of swag is what the Magic need leading their young core. If he falls to six, the Magic probably would pass on him for someone who will not be as good as him, judging by the last five years in the draft.
Rossman-Reich: Best player. The Orlando Magic simply have too many needs to be too concerned with a specific position. Outside of the forward positions (Aaron Gordon decision pending), the team needs to upgrade everywhere. The Magic have to remake their team and finding a player they can build around is paramount. Even Jonathan Isaac does not seem like a central rebuild piece. But it would be fine if the player they draft complements Isaac in some way. That will, of course, be pretty tough to do. This high in the draft, I always say take the best player available. You do not want to miss on a supposed star because you are playing it safe or too afraid to take a little bit of a swing.
Scricca: Both have to be factored in. The player has to fit within some kind of vision for the team and cannot obstruct or be obstructed by Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac’s development. Ideally, a coach will be hired by then so we (and the front office) will have a pretty good idea of what this next Magic team could look like stylistically. That infrastructure will impact the type of players and talents this franchise will be able to maximize.
Racine: The Magic have to draft the best player available instead of by position only if Michael Porter Jr is available at sixth. He is a potential go-to scorer and the Magic need one. He has too much upside to pass up. Also, rookie Jonathan Isaac does not quite have a position yet. He can develop into a 5 and the Magic can play Michael Porter alongside him and Aaron Gordon.
Palmer: I think that both of these things must be considered. Listen, if somebody who is left on your board is a vastly superior player to the next guy on board at a position of need, you absolutely take the best player available. But if you have got two guys that are touching tags as far as grades are concerned then take the position of need. I am of the opinion that being a good fit allows for superior development and typically maximizes potential far better than having a guy get 15 minutes per game off the bench.
Flynn: Best player with an asterisk. The Magic do not have any surefire future All-Stars on their team, so nothing should be out of the question when drafting. I think the Magic need to consider the NBA’s future and how the style of the game is changing with every pick they make. For example, as Mohamed Bamba continues to move up draft boards, the Magic should be analyzing his skillset to determine if he fits on a championship-caliber team. Michael Porter Jr., on the other hand, is an athletic, lengthy wing with a scorer’s mentality. He is the type of player the Boston Celtics have targeted in recent drafts (Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum) and we are seeing their immediate success.
What is the Magic’s most important goal in the NBA Draft? Regardless of who they pick, what must that pick accomplish?
Doyle: I think the Orlando Magic need to find a star. I have been back and forth for weeks, but I think the Magic finally need to pull the trigger and take a risk on a star. The Magic need to make their own luck. They have not been able to land the top pick once during this putrid stretch, so if a potentially transformative prospect (Trae Young/Michael Porter) is available at six, they have to take him. Yes, there is a massive boom or bust factor, but it is time to take a chance.
Henderson: The most important goal in the NBA Draft is to select the best available player. The player who can flourish in the system. The Magic should try to trade up by getting rid of Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon or find a potential trade this summer. Whoever the Magic select they need to develop into one of the best players in the league at his position. The Orlando Magic organization should be ashamed after seeing the Boston Celtics’ success.
Rossman-Reich: The Orlando Magic do not have to find their future All-Star (eventually they will). I think they will be back in the upper parts of the Lottery next year (but things will feel more optimistic). But Orlando absolutely has to find someone who can be a key piece for the team moving forward and a surefire starter. I think the Magic should find someone who can contribute something immediately too. But he has to be someone who can clearly develop into a key player for the team moving forward.
Scricca: It is a tough call because, on one hand, this franchise cannot afford to miss on another high lottery pick. On the other, this franchise clearly needs a foundational offensive piece. Fortunately, they have three picks. So the best approach might be to make an upside play early and look for high floors later.
Racine: The most important goal for the Magic in the Draft should be finding a player with superstar potential. That is Orlando’s ultimate need: a superstar. It tops the need for a point guard. If the Magic believe after the draft that they’ve got a potential superstar, it’s a job well done.
Palmer: They need to continue to add players who fit what they want to do. What is that? I really have no idea since they somehow still do not have a coach. But, draft guys who you envision playing a certain role in your scheme and commit to that scheme.
Flynn: The Magic need to find a star, which could be difficult drafting sixth. A more realistic goal should be drafting a player that can contribute, grow and play big-minutes immediately. Over the last six years, the Magic have been inconsistent with player development and keeping too short of a leash on young players (see Mario Hezonja, Elfried Payton, Victor Oladipo, etc.). Essentially the player they draft they need to develop and maximize their potential, something that has been an issue with the Magic.
Should we be concerned the Orlando Magic’s coaching search is taking this long?
Doyle: I am not too worried about it. Give it another week or two and then I will take notice. I think the Orlando Magic need to get things settled by June. With the Draft around the corner, it will be super important for a coach to be in place by then. This job is not the most intriguing for the top candidates. I feel like the concern comes from how quiet Orlando has kept their search. Frankly, as long as the Magic hire the right coach, one that is popular among the fan base and pundits around the league, I will feel confident in the Magic’s front office.
Henderson: The Orlando Magic need to be concerned because the Draft is too close not to have a leader or direction. What if the Magic do not have a coach before the draft? That would be a disaster. The Magic have less than a month to select a coach before the draft, and I would imagine they would need to know who is the coach and system before selecting players. It is very important for a coach to feel comfortable during the Draft process so they will have faith in the players on the roster during their first year on board.
Rossman-Reich: I do not think fans should be overly concerned. But they certainly should be a little anxious. The lack of information has led to wild speculation and deep concern in the fan base. That is all a bit unfair. But that anxiety is understandable. The process is going to go however quickly it can go. Is this a sign coaches are not as high on the Orlando Magic’s job? Is this a sign Orlando is going after some big fish still that no other team thought they could get? We will have to stay tuned. If we go another week without a coach, then I might get a little concerned. If the hire does not really have much sizzle (the Kelvin Sampson hire was not one winning in the press), then we should be concerned. For now, patient anxiety is the proper response.
Scricca: I do not think it is a big deal until we start encroaching on the Draft. Like I said before, it is important to know the team’s infrastructure before betting on specific players to develop within your organization. At this point, I am assuming they are doing due diligence but that might turn to some anxiety if there is still no hire the first week of June.
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Racine: Yes, we should be concerned the Orlando Magic’s coaching search is taking so long. The candidates are there. I am concerned the Magic are not willing to pay its next coach a ton because Frank Vogel’s contract is still on the payroll for two more years. With such delay and rumors the Magic are interested in Houston Cougars’ coach Kelvin Sampson, I am not expecting a big name to get the job. Orlando Magic fans should forget about former Toronto Raptors’ Head Coach Dwane Casey.
Palmer: I do not see why it matters how long it takes. I mean, if they do not hire a coach in time to help prep for the Draft then it is definitely an issue. Look, I can only hypothesize why the search is taking so long. But I would have to imagine it is because the team is being extremely thorough and want to nail this hire. As long as they did not miss out on a guy they really wanted, timing does not really mean much.
Flynn: I am not so much concerned with the timeliness of finding a coach as I am with the reported rumors (granted there have not been many) of the coaches being considered. As I write this, Marc Stein of The New York Times has tweeted out the Magic are interviewing Steve Clifford and Kelvin Sampson is still being considered. Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel has reported that Jerry Stackhouse has not been interviewed as of a couple of weeks ago. Essentially, the timeliness alone does not concern me. But accompany that with the few reports we have been given draw concern the Magic coaching job is not nearly as desirable as we may have thought. I cannot help but wonder if four coaches in the last six years has something to do with it.
What has been your biggest takeaway from the NBA Playoffs and what that means for the Orlando Magic as they try to rebuild?
Henderson: My biggest takeaway from the 2018 NBA Playoffs is how the Boston Celtics are one game away from a NBA Finals berth starring a rookie in Jayson Tatum and a second-year player in Jaylen Brown. They are giving LeBron james all he wants and more. These two guys have taken the underdog role to the heart and have played superb during these Playoffs. If the Magic can take care of business this draft and select a franchise turning player like how the Celtics have, the Magic may be able to make a Playoff.
Rossman-Reich: Switching is everything. Whenever someone says Jonathan Isaac should play center, I still reflexively shoot them down. And I still think that is the case. But these Playoffs are showing just how important it is to have a center who can switch onto guards and stick on the perimeter in the pick and roll. Orlando has Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon who are pretty good defending the paint and protecting the rim. They fit that modern style. And in small bursts — and one day the Playoffs — Isaac will play more center. But the center has become a dinosaur much quicker than any of us could imagine.
Doyle: I agree with Phil here. The ability to switch on defense. The Orlando Magic have the foundation of a very versatile defense with Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. I see them building off of that in the Draft. Adding athletes with high ceilings who can switch on almost any player are how the Magic should build this roster. Orlando should copy the elite teams around the league. Follow in their footsteps as they try to regain relevance in the NBA.
Scricca: That big, high-IQ wings who can shoot, dribble, pass and defend are the most valuable commodity in the league. Small point guards and big men who cannot shoot at a high level, cannot defend in space or cannot make quick decisions defensively have hamstrung playoff teams in the past few years. That is one reason why I have ranked Luka Doncic, Miles Bridges, Zhaire Smith and others ahead of Deandre Ayton. Not only does this apply to roster construction, but it also applies to trade value and asset management. There is already a massive glut of big men in the league, few of whom can sustain a positive impact during high-level postseason basketball. That specific mold of wing player is immensely valuable in terms of the sustainable and versatile productivity they provide, but also in terms of leaguewide scarcity. Building a team with that in mind is the way to go.
Racine: My biggest takeaway from the Playoffs so far is that team-first basketball still wins games and rookies can make a major impact. The Boston Celtics’ team-first play has taken them to the Eastern Conference Finals. Rookie Jayson Tatum is playing superb basketball. The Orlando Magic should aim to find a coach like Brad Stevens and expect the next rookie to make an impact right away.
Palmer: It seems pretty darn clear that if you cannot defend, then you are going to be exposed in the Playoffs. Right now the Golden State Warriors/Houston Rockets series is just a continual switch and attack the mismatch series. The Orlando Magic have a couple of guys who can do that in Jonathan Isaac, Aaron Gordon, Wesley Iwundu, and Khem Birch. But I am not sure if anybody else really fits that bill. That is one of the reasons you worry about guys like Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley, and Trae Young. While Ayton has the physical tools you just do not know if he will put it together on that end. Bagley could not hide anywhere with the Duke Blue Devils and was repeatedly exposed because it seemed like he just does not process the game fast enough. And Trae Young can only defend one position and he is not really twitched up or big enough to defend supreme athletes. That is the real worry you think about drafting these guys.
Flynn: Everyone makes a great point regarding the need to defend. I see the success the Boston Celtics have had with their young, versatile wings and it gives me some hope as an Orlando Magic fan. The Celtics are without their top two stars and are one game away from an NBA Finals appearance. All thanks to the versatility of their young wings they can play positionless basketball. When I see this it makes me skittish on the need to draft Trae Young. I am not convinced his offense ability will be able to overshadow his expected shortcomings on defense or his lack of versatility in an NBA lineup.
Next: Orlando Magic must find star in NBA Draft
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