Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft: Memorial Day check up

In this situation, the Orlando Magic have plenty of options with the sixth pick. Trae Young, Michael Porter Jr. and Wendell Carter Jr. are the likely picks if the Draft plays out this way. Outside of Marvin Bagley III, the Magic would probably jump to take any of the five players I have coming before them.

But, for now, let’s analyze why I think Trae Young is the pick as of this moment.

This is not about need. This is not about marketing (although that plays a small factor).

Taking Young is about taking the best player available. Porter’s injury concerns me — back injuries do not go away — and he will have to prove himself. On top of that, he duplicates what the Magic already have and will invest in with Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon.

Young is the player with the potential to hit his star ceiling most and can change the way the Magic play. Orlando, most of all, needs a clear impact player. Someone who can drive the engine for the team.

At the guard position, Orlando has lacked that nearly forever. Steve Francis and Anfernee Hardaway (and Tracy McGrady, if you count him as one) are the only guards in team history to average more than 20 points per game.

Aaron Gordon is growing into a better scorer. Evan Fournier is a solid scorer. But neither should be on the ball much. Both Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier have succeeded more off the ball with a dominant ball handler creating for them. Evan Fournier turned in his best season with Victor Oladipo carrying more of the creation burden. And Aaron Gordon was a lot better with Elfrid Payton in there setting him up.

Orlando needs a creator.

Young has plenty of questions about him. He still has to develop a stronger drive to his left hand, improve finishing at the rim and reduce his turnovers. How much of his turnover problems were born from his incredibly high usage rate is the big question.

But he is probably the best shooter in the Draft. He has the ability to warp defenses with his threat to shoot from anywhere on the floor and his superb passing ability. Young can drive a team and create a lot for them.

He has all the signs of someone who could be very special in this league. Especially this modern league.

He may not have the length or defensive ability that Jeff Weltman and John Hammond are known to like, but he is the best option at this pick. Someone who will give the Magic exactly what they need to take the team to its next step.