Orlando Magic get down to details as NBA Draft Combine passes

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 16: Jarrett Culver speaks with the media during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 16, 2019 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Thinking big with interviews

The Orlando Magic were at least willing to reach big with one of the few interviews they had.

The NBA sets up interviews with prospects at the Draft Combine by taking lists from each of the teams and assigning players to teams. Not every team gets everyone they want and teams have to be strategic. They will leave off players they know they will interview individually later to preserve their time and resources.

Among the players the Magic held one of their official interviews with was Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Jarrett Culver at the NBA Draft Combine, according to Duane Ranking of The Arizona Republic.

Culver will be long gone by the time the Magic pick at No. 16. He is projected to go within the first six picks after averaging 18.5 points per game on 52.6 percent shooting (just 30.4 percent from beyond the arc) for the national runners-up. Culver was one of the best defensive players in the nation and is considered one of the best prospects in this draft.

As Bobby Marks noted on ESPN’s coverage of the NBA Draft Combine, teams often will use the Combine interviews as a way to make contact with players they may not be able to get to otherwise. This helps them build their file and have some familiarity with the player as a person to supplement the information they gathered about him as a player from scouting.

Culver likely would not entertain interviewing or working out with the Magic otherwise. He would be long gone in the draft when the Magic pick.

So Orlando used the opportunity to interview him and add him to their files. Think of how former general manager Rob Hennigan said he used information from working out and interviewing Tobias Harris while Hennigan was with the Oklahoma City Thunder to help him make the decision to pursue him for the Orlando Magic.

President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman is surely doing the same in getting in front of Jarrett Culver. The Magic now have information they would not have otherwise in case he comes across in a trade in the near future.