Orlando Magic Daily
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2018 Orlando Magic NBA Draft: Orlando Magic Daily’s final mock draft

By Philip Rossman-Reich

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: President of Basketball Operations, Jeff Weltman represents the Orlando Magic during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: President of Basketball Operations, Jeff Weltman represents the Orlando Magic during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Trae Young, Oklahoma Sooners, USC Trojans
Trae Young, Oklahoma Sooners, USC Trojans /

The Magic’s pick

PG. Oklahoma. player. 38. 6. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Trae Young

So why should the Orlando Magic pick Trae Young?

Quite simply, it is because of the direction the league is going. He and his play style are the directions this league is going. That was abundantly clearthroughoutt the Playoffs. Big men who cannot step out and hit 3-pointers or defend even guards are not nearly as useful as they used to be. Teams need someone who can drive an offense and keep them off balance.

Trae Young, quite simply, does that. In many ways he is not only the best player available on the board but also the one that fits. He would make so many players on the Magic work better without drastic changes — the Magic still need changes.

Young put up bonkers numbers for the Oklahoma Sooners. He led the nation in scoring and routinely pulled up from 30 feet. He is clearly the first player entering the league that has Stephen Curry‘s fingerprints all over him. That influence is going to become more prevalent.

What differentiates Young though is his passing. He is not just merely a guy who takes long 3s and warps defense because he is always a threat to shoot and requires constant defensive attention. Young also led the nation in assists. He is a great passer.

What makes Young truly great is he makes the simple passes perfectly. His passes arrive right in the shooter’s pocket and allows teammates to go right into their shots or right into their drives. That is a big skill to have and will make any team run smoother.

Yes, there are questions about his defensive ability. He is on the small side and may never be more than a passable defender. Teams will target and take advantage of that. Young’s offense has to hit to make that acceptable.

In this league right now, guards are ruling the day. The Magic have long lacked a guard who could drive and generate offense for their team. Having that can transform the team in a meaningful way.

And that is why Young is the pick. He can be that engine in a way few in this draft could be for the Magic.