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Orlando Magic select Nickeil Alexander-Walker in FanSided Expert Mock Draft

By Philip Rossman-Reich

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 22: Virginia Tech guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (4) shoots a shot in the lane during the game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Saint Louis Billikens in their NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship first round game on March 22, 2019, at SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 22: Virginia Tech guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (4) shoots a shot in the lane during the game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Saint Louis Billikens in their NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship first round game on March 22, 2019, at SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic have a lot of options available to them at No. 16 in the NBA Draft. In the FanSided mock draft, I turned to a player I can trust to play.

The Orlando Magic will face a difficult decision when it comes their time to pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Picking 16th is a new place for them after making the playoffs for the first time in seven years. This is an area of the draft that can present risk and opportunity when a player falls. It can also be a place to grab a skilled player ready to contribute quickly in a specified role as teams above them look for long-term potential plays.

The Magic will have a lot of these options ahead of them and a lot of things to weigh as they continue workouts at the Amway Center and sorting through the various prospects the team has to choose from.

There are always players who break out in the latter half of the draft and find their roles and place in the league quickly.

I believe urgency is a big part of the Magic’s calculation. Considering their free agents are in flux, the Magic are probably looking for someone who can step in and contribute something immediately. And, of course, still have room to grow.

The approach for any team at the draft is to take all these various interests, evaluate all the talent in the draft and then pick the best player available. Taking the best player on the board is always the best idea.

I will admit though as I looked at players available in the draft, especially where the Magic are picking at No. 16, I am leaning toward players who can contribute something immediately. I am not looking for the Magic to take a project.

And that is why in the FanSided Site Expert Mock Draft, I selected Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Alexander-Walker averaged 16.2 points per game on 37.4 percent shooting. He had a 54.6 percent effective field goal percentage in a stellar year helping Virginia Tech make the Sweet Sixteen, before losing to the Duke Blue Devils.

Alexander-Walker proved himself to be a skilled shooter, able to hit some tough shots from the perimeter and put up some big scoring performances. He had 12 games scoring at least 20 points last season in a college game, including five in ACC play and one against the Saint Louis Billikens in the NCAA Tournament.

He is a solid shooter but not a volume shooter in college. Alexander-Walker worked a lot on the ball as a secondary ball-handler in pick and rolls. He showed an ability to drive off reversals and use his shot to set himself up to get into the lane. He is not an explosive finisher but can hit shots around the basket.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker easily could fill into at least part of the role that Evan Fournier plays. He may not be as good of a shooter as Evan Fournier, but they feature a lot of similar traits.

Where Alexander-Walker can differentiate himself is on defense. He has a lot of really good defensive instincts and can be a pest on that end with his length (there is that word again) and size for a shooting guard. But he still has to refine those skills.

If there is anything to say about Alexander-Walker it is that he is good at a lot of things, but not spectacular at any one thing.

To me, Alexander-Walker is the safe pick. I am confident he can fill in a role immediately for the team with his shooting ability and hold his own defensively to get playing time. He clearly still has room to grow and improve with the skills and abilities he has.

Other players are starting to grow on me though. Stanford Cardinal forward KZ Okpala, who worked out with the Magic on Monday, and North Carolina Tar Heels forward Cameron Johnson, who worked out with the Magic on Tuesday, each fit the mold for the team. Their skills also should translate to the team and help them immediately.

Kentucky Wildcats sharpshooter Tyler Herro is also a potential option. As are more high-upside creators like North Carolina Tar Heels forward Nassir Little, USC Trojans forward Kevin Porter Jr. and Indiana Hoosiers guard Romeo Langford.

Little was still available but I chose to take the more sure role player in Alexander-Walker to support the roster the Magic already have.

Next. Orlando Magic must keep options open throughout offseason. dark

There are still two weeks before the NBA Draft and plenty can change before then as workouts and evaluations continue at the Amway Center.