Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Recapping the NBA Draft

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 22: Draft Pick Melvin Frazier Orlando Magic president Jeff Weltman Draft Pick Mohamed Bamba Head Coach Steve Clifford and Draft Pick Justin Jackson during the Orlando Magic Draft press conference, on June 22, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 22: Draft Pick Melvin Frazier Orlando Magic president Jeff Weltman Draft Pick Mohamed Bamba Head Coach Steve Clifford and Draft Pick Justin Jackson during the Orlando Magic Draft press conference, on June 22, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Mohamed Bamba, Texas Longhorns
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Texas Longhorns forward Mohamed Bamba (4) reverse slams the ball against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship First Round between the Nevada Wolf Pack on March 16, 2018 and the Texas Longhorns at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Steve Roberts/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

What grade would you give the Orlando Magic’s Draft? Do you like the Mohamed Bamba pick?

CJ Kania (@chatbuckets): A-. Yes, with what players were left on the board when the Orlando Magic were up, they selected what I believe to be the best player available at the time.

Ryan Doyle (@RDoyle27): B+. The Magic had Mohamed Bamba fall into their laps with the sixth pick. Despite not necessarily filling a need on the roster, Bamba was certainly the best player available. Plus, he rounds out what could be a devastating Orlando frontcourt with Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac along with him. Mohamed Bamba fits the Jeff Weltman and John Hammond mold and should bring immediate production on the glass and the defensive end. Magic twitter (myself included) may have been disappointed they could not entice the Atlanta Hawks enough to land Luka Doncic, but Mohamed Bamba is the next best prospect.

Drew Miller (@drewmill_): C-. Length is important. But Jeff Weltman and John Hammond have taken it too far. Simply drafting for wingspan and neglecting team needs is a losing strategy. I think Mohamed Bamba was the correct pick with who was available. But I would have rather the Magic trade up for Luka Doncic or draft Trae Young (if he was available).

Philip Rossman-Reich (@philiprr_omd): I give the Orlando Magic a B+. Orlando got the best player available with the sixth overall pick and someone who can redefine their offensive and defensive identity. That was task No. 1 for the offseason. So the Magic I think did great there. I am a big fan of Melvin Frazier and he was someone I had high on my board. The big concern that remains with this team that the draft did not solve is the lack of shooting, and certainly the questions at point guard. Orlando was not answering all those questions in one Draft. But they certainly got on the right track, even if some opportunities might have been missed.