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2018 Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: Taking a chance on Jarred Vanderbilt

By Ricky Scricca

LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 23: Jarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats grabs a offensive rebound over the Mississippi State Bulldogs defenders during the first half at Rupp Arena on January 23, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 23: Jarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats grabs a offensive rebound over the Mississippi State Bulldogs defenders during the first half at Rupp Arena on January 23, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Jarred Vanderbilt, Kentucky Wildcats, Florida Gators
LEXINGTON, KY – JANUARY 20: Jarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats drives to the basket past Kevarrius Hayes #13 of the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena on January 20, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Final Word

Jarred Vanderbilt is a tantalizing prospect. He has the potential to be a uniquely gifted rotation player in the NBA: A playmaking small-ball 5 who can capably defend every position.

He just needs to stay on the floor. The health concerns are very real and have followed him throughout his entire career.

A team also needs to use him properly to realize that potential. He will simply never be a reliable shooting or scoring option, relying on cutting instincts and putbacks to offer offensive value without the ball while not being a sufficient enough creation force to warrant being a primary option with the ball.

Injuries aside, the nonstop motor he showed at Kentucky would give him a pretty solid floor as a rebounder and energy big if nothing else. He can realistically add more value through his defensive versatility and equity as a secondary playmaker.

Strictly for the Orlando Magic’s purposes, it is hard to envision him as a solid pick anywhere besides the mid-second round, and even that might be a stretch. Bringing in another large forward without a reliable jumper even as a flier should be close to out of the question.

As stated earlier, Vanderbilt will need spacing to operate effectively, and the Magic do not currently have that to offer him.

The two main positives when viewing him through that lens are his hustle and defense. This franchise should be in the business of acquiring more players who consistently try hard. And adding another guy who can guard multiple positions alongside Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac could theoretically make for a formidable defensive unit going forward.

Aside from that, it is not an intuitive match despite the intrigue. If he were to go undrafted, which is certainly possible, it may behoove the Magic (and other teams) to look into signing him if he goes undrafted. But chances are there will be better options available at all three of the Magic’s draft slots.

In general, if Vanderbilt can overcome the health concerns, he may turn out to be one of this draft’s more undervalued talents. He is widely projected to go undrafted but still possesses immediately translatable skills and upside as a Draymond Green-lite secondary and short-roll playmaker with considerable defensive versatility.

Because of that, he is well worth a flier as an undrafted free agent even if he does not pass his physicals with flying colors. If he does check out all right, he is worth a look as early as the late first round.

Next: 2018 NBA Draft Preview: Who is Wendell Carter Jr.?

But considering his questionable fit, the Magic would more likely be in the former market than in the latter.