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Orlando Magic Daily Roundtable: Summer League Takeaways

By Philip Rossman-Reich

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns and Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic look on during the game during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns and Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic look on during the game during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Mohamed Bamba, Melvin Frazier, Justin Jackson, Orlando Magic, Steve Clifford
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) /

Jeff Weltman has had two drafts and now we have seen them in Summer League, what do you think of the job Weltman has done in the draft so far?

Henderson: I think it is too early to tell to be honest. On the surface, the two draft picks look good to build around, but they still have a lot to prove. Jeff Weltman will be judged on what type of free agent he can get to sign in Orlando in the upcoming years. The Magic are a star or two from a Playoff berth which is why the organization is looking forward to the growth of these younger players.

Rossman-Reich: Beyond his “draft flattened out” statement from last year, I think Jeff Weltman’s draft record leaves a little something to be desired. His top-end talent — Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba — are great picks. There is a lot of reason to believe in them.

But his later picks — the picks where the team could add some valuable role players — leave a little bit to be desired. Maybe it is unfair to judge them so soon, but Wesley Iwundu and Melvin Frazier feel like very similar players. And while Iwundu looked really strong defensively throughout Summer League, his offensive game still needs a lot of work. He looked like he was rushing and still a little uncomfortable trying to score the ball.

Orlando needs solid role players. This would be a time to find players who “fit.” Iwundu and Frazier might become those players, but they both seem like a far way off.

Palmer: It is too early to tell. It is clear Jeff Weltman values a lot of intangible attributes in his picks with the plan being to develop their other skills.

In Jonathan Isaac’s case, it seems as though he may have developed a better jumper from mid-range and some improved handles through one season. But Wesley Iwundu has not shown the same development. Melvin Frazier and Justin Jackson seem to have similar profiles to Wesley Iwundu.

I do wonder how the Magic would follow that line of thinking and pass on somebody like De’Anthony Melton who could very well be a steal at a position of need. So, I get what the Magic are trying to do but it remains to be seen whether or not it actually works.

Next: OMD Mailbag: Looking ahead to 2019

What do you think? Leave your answers to our roundtable discussion in the comments below. You can always continue the conversation on Twitter @omagicdaily.