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2018 Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: Second-Round targets for the Orlando Magic

By Philip Rossman-Reich

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Villanova Wildcats guard Jalen Brunson (1) makes a run at the basket past West Virginia Mountaineers guard Jevon Carter (2). During the Villanova Wildcats game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, MA.(Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 23: Villanova Wildcats guard Jalen Brunson (1) makes a run at the basket past West Virginia Mountaineers guard Jevon Carter (2). During the Villanova Wildcats game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, MA.(Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Rodions Kurucs, FC Barcelona
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MARCH 09: Rodions Kurucs, #17 of FC Barcelona Lassa in action during the 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 25 game between FC Barcelona Lassa and Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade at Palau Blaugrana on March 9, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Rodolfo Molina/EB via Getty Images) /

Rodions Kurucs, FC Barcelona

This is not a draft full of international stars. Luka Doncic is the guy at the top. Dzanan Musa and Elie Okobo make up some interesting prospects in the late first round. But this is not a class to go mining for international prospects.

One player has snuck back onto the radar and snuck back into the draft process that is worth considering. That is Barcelona’s Rodions Kurucs.

Kurucs was a borderline first-round pick last year who was slated to go anywhere from just outside the Lottery to the second round. He was an intriguing and interesting prospect that had a lot of skills.

Last year, Kurucs was a raw prospect who showed signs he could create his own shot and make it from deep. He just was not getting a ton of time on the court. At 6-foot-8, he has a smooth way of playing that suggests he can turn his athleticism into kinetic energy as he continues to develop.

Kurucs needed more time to grow and develop. Withdrawing from the draft and going back to Europe was an opportunity to get more seasoning before bumping up to the NBA. But it was also a risk that he would not get the playing time and attention the NBA might give.

So how did he do?

Last year for FC Barcelona, Kurucs averaged just 1.4 points per game, appearing in 10 games and averaging 5.9 minutes per game. Once again, Kurucs just did not receive a ton of playing time. It is hard to get a good sense of what he can be or who he is. He played most of his games for Barcelona’s second-division team.

It becomes even harder to judge Kurucs because he has not played for a Latvian National Team since the 2014 U16 European Championships.

In all likelihood, teams will want to keep Kurucs in the G-League if he came to the U.S. or let him continue to grow within the Barcelona system and move up the ladder in Europe.

Either way, Kurucs needs to play. He is a smooth and rangy player who can finish above the rim and shoot from the outside. There is a lot to like. He just needs more time on the court.