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Orlando Magic Daily Podcast Episode 89: 2018 NBA Draft Preview with Ricky Scricca

By Philip Rossman-Reich

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: Jonathan Isaac speaks to Dennis Scott and Rick Kamla after being selected sixth overall by the Orlando Magic at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: Jonathan Isaac speaks to Dennis Scott and Rick Kamla after being selected sixth overall by the Orlando Magic at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The NBA Draft is finally here. The big day for the Orlando Magic to make a decision is here. So what direction will they go? We preview the Draft.

Orlando Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman described this draft as a big one. It was one that people who follow the draft have been waiting on for several years. There are several players that scouts and executives have eagerly waited to enter the draft.

Even sitting with the sixth pick, the Magic are expecting to get an impact player and possibly someone who can develop into an All-Star player. That is how deep the draft is at the top. And the promise and opportunity that lies before the team.

The Magic know it will still take a lot of work to make it happen. All these young players need an environment to grow in and improve. They need a place where they can succeed and grow their skills. That is all part of the process of rebuilding the Magic.

But to be sure, it starts with the player they pick in this Draft. No matter who it is.

What is becoming increasingly clear in this relatively volatile draft, is that anything can happen. The Magic will have to be prepared to take any number of players and measure their draft boards carefully. For Orlando to get the player they need in this draft, they will have to make a bold and solid decision.

Weltman has been big on that part of the process because the Draft this year seems more up in the air than ever. There are already plenty of rumors of the Magic trying to move up fairly aggressively ahead of the selections.

Ultimately, the choice is out of their hands.

But Orlando will have options and the team will have plenty to weigh. This is a deep class. One that deserves one last run through and discuss. Especially as the Magic weigh whether to move up or down or what to do with their two second-round picks.

On this day of the NBA Draft, I spoke to Orlando Magic Daily’s Ricky Scricca about the prospects and to get his last review of the class before the selections begin:

On This Episode:

  • Why Luka Doncic is the best prospect in this Draft… and might be worth trading up for?
  • What could or should the Orlando Magic trade up to acquire Luka Doncic?
  • What separates Trae Young from other shoot-first point guards?
  • How do talent evaluators look at the bigs in this draft in a league that is eliminating them?
  • Where does fit fall into the evaluations of who to pick in this Draft for the Orlando Magic?
  • Why do Orlando Magic fans dislike Wendell Carter Jr.?
  • At what point is finding a star not the goal in this Draft?
  • What mid-first round players should the Orlando Magic target if they trade back?
  • What do the point guards in this NBA Draft look like?
  • Who should the Orlando Magic target in the second round?

Be sure to follow Ricky Scricca on Twitter @scricca1 and check out all of his great draft work on Orlando Magic Daily and over at Nylon Calculus.

Next: 2018 NBA Draft Preview: Second-Round Targets

Also, subscribe to Orlando Magic Daily’s daily podcast, Locked On Magic, on Panoply, iTunes, Stitcher and TuneIn.