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2018 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: Trae Young may be the answer to Orlando Magic’s star search

By Ryan Doyle

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners reacts between Jeff Dowtin #11 and Fatts Russell #2 of the Rhode Island Rams in the second half of the game during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners reacts between Jeff Dowtin #11 and Fatts Russell #2 of the Rhode Island Rams in the second half of the game during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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NORMAN, OK – FEBRUARY 17: Oklahoma Sooners Guard Trae Young (11) during a college basketball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns on February 17, 2018, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, OK. (Photo by David Stacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – FEBRUARY 17: Oklahoma Sooners Guard Trae Young (11) during a college basketball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns on February 17, 2018, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, OK. (Photo by David Stacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Final Word

Trae Young fits with the Orlando Magic.

The Magic need a point guard. They need shooting. And they need a franchise player.

But it does not mean he will land with the organization.

Taking him is a massive risk. It could propel Orlando into contention in short order, or it could send them spiraling back down to irrelevancy. Young has that hit-or-miss quality to him. He either is the game-changing point guard he showed at Oklahoma in one year or he is a good shooter who ultimately cannot fill the responsibilities of a starting point guard.

The glaring need at point guard is what could push the team toward Young. They have limited cap space and will not be spending money to sign a guard. Nor do they have many trade assets.

If they do not answer the need through the Draft, it will be hard to sell the fan base on the players currently on the roster. The drastic need at point guard will likely remain.

The debate among Magic fans has been raging for months. Is Young the next Curry? Or just a flashy scorer?

It is the same debate president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman and general manager John Hammond will be having Thursday night.

If the front office believes it is time to take a swing on a potential stud, Young is the guy. He does not have the injury concerns of a Michael Porter Jr. and he will likely be available when Orlando is on the clock with the sixth pick.

Trae Young could invigorate a young team and provide the organization with a star it has been desperate for since the departure of Dwight Howard. A face of the franchise and a marketable talent for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2011.

Despite the fit and the potential to turn Orlando around, Young has major shortcomings. He will hurt Orlando’s defense and will need time to cut down on needless turnovers.

Next: 2018 NBA Draft Preview: Who is Bruce Brown Jr.

The Magic worked out Young recently and if he impressed them enough, he will be the man running the Orlando offense for the next decade.