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2018 Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: Who is De’Anthony Melton?

By Ricky Scricca

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: USC guard DeAnthony Melton (22) looks on during the first round game of the Pac-12 Tournament between the Washington Huskies and the USC Trojans on March 8, 2017, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: USC guard DeAnthony Melton (22) looks on during the first round game of the Pac-12 Tournament between the Washington Huskies and the USC Trojans on March 8, 2017, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Bad

Depending on your opinion of Jonathan Isaac, De’Anthony Melton’s combination of strengths and weaknesses may either be enticing or off-putting.

It is perfectly reasonable to argue the Magic should not be in the business of drafting more defensive prospects with raw offensive games. They clearly need shot creation and more jump-shooting. There is a reason why Trae Young has been their selection in almost every mock draft released since lottery night.

For all Melton’s strengths, he is not the kind of point guard prospect who will unlock an offense through his scoring or passing. He makes smart, quick reads and is a technically sound passer. But his tape sorely lacks the high-leverage passes that are commonplace for Young and other top-shelf offensive creators.

His projection also depends on how much you buy into his strides mechanically with his jumper. If he can be a respectable spot-up shooter, then it is easy to imagine him sliding alongside another point guard or initiator. Especially considering his instincts as a cutter and defensive versatility. But if defenders are not punished for sagging off him, his scalability becomes murkier.

And that scalability is important. Based on what we have seen so far, his handle and passing acumen are not quite what you would want in a lead ball handler. He is too smart, active and hard-working to be an outright liability.

But offensively he is better suited either leading a bench unit or being a secondary playmaker. To do that effectively he needs to fit alongside other ball-handlers and impact the game offensively in a diminished role.

His motor and consistent effort crashing the offensive glass and cutting into open space for easy buckets give him a relatively high floor and an avenue to scale down without the shot. But to unlock his ceiling either the shot or more high-leverage passing will need to be there.

Even defensively, there are reasons to question just how impactful he can be. Measuring 6-foot-3.25 in shoes at the Combine, his standing reach is about one inch greater than Terry Rozier’s, whom LeBron James repeatedly bowled over despite his best efforts in the Playoffs.

Guarding James is an unfair lens to evaluate anyone’s defense though. But it is a cause for concern watching a similarly-sized, high-motor player providing an opponent a place to attack almost every possession.

With him unable to play competitive basketball this year, much of his game is still shrouded in mystery. As a hard worker that rose from being ranked 223rd in RSCI to a potential lottery pick, it is easy to feel good about him making whatever improvements he can.