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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 38: While we wait

By Philip Rossman-Reich

The Orlando Magic are eager for Nikola Vucevic to make his return to the court. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic are eager for Nikola Vucevic to make his return to the court. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Chuma Okeke, Steve Clifford, Jeff Weltman, Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are still excited for their rookie in Chuma Okeke after deferring his first season this year. (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Where Chuma fits

https://twitter.com/JerryDurneyPBP/status/1242311663484841985

With our focus slowly turning toward the draft, it is easy to forget the Orlando Magic actually already have a rookie in place. They are expected to sign first-round pick Chuma Okeke this offseason and have him play his rookie year next season.

It is rare for a playoff team to look to integrate two first-round picks. But that is the situation the Magic will find themselves in next year if they keep this year’s pick. That part seems somewhat likely, but teams could be looking to shed salary and take on more cost-controlled contracts with the salary cap likely to decrease.

I think the Magic ultimately keep their pick because they probably are not looking to pay the tax at this point. They are still focused on development. Unless something else comes along.

I looked at what the depth chart looked like in reviewing the shooters in the draft the Magic could target. There are plenty of them. So where does everyone fit in?

Of course, both Chuma Okeke and the Magic’s new draft pick will have to earn their keep. But the Magic certainly want to try to fit him into the rotation. And, as things stand now, the forward position is loaded with three starter-quality players in Jonathan Isaac, Aaron Gordon and Al-Farouq Aminu.

Live Feed

Grade the trade: Wizards buy low on a potential defensive star in a proposed deal
Grade the trade: Wizards buy low on a potential defensive star in a proposed deal /

Wiz of Awes

  • Boston Celtics: Proposal lands dream target on Cs core's timeline Hardwood Houdini
  • Auburn basketball: Did Buffalo Wild Wings acknowledge the double-dribble? Fly War Eagle
  • Orlando Magic: 3 most promising young players right now Hoops Habit
  • Orlando Magic: Chuma Okeke has saved this season Hoops Habit
  • Auburn basketball: Chuma Okeke has Magical back-to-back career nights Fly War Eagle

    • Right now, I have Okeke slated as the ninth or 10th man in the rotation as the backup small forward. He would essentially take on Wesley Iwundu‘s minutes — Iwundu is a restricted free agent this offseason.

    Of course, we really do not know what Okeke will look like on a NBA floor. All the statistical models seem to like Okeke as a defensive prospect especially. So seeing him fill in Wesley Iwundu’s current role seems like the baseline for him.

    But Iwundu’s minutes this year have been inconsistent. And the Magic probably do not want that.

    If Orlando is determined to play its rookie in Okeke, the team will probably need to make a deal to clear that forward logjam. That is probably the inevitable move. But maybe not the immediate one for the Magic.

    It is really hard to say for sure what the Magic’s roster will look like with the offseason still ahead. There are plenty of expected changes. And probably a few moves that are no longer expected. That could affect how the Magic assess their needs in the draft too.

    Jeff Weltman and his staff have shown they are willing to wait players out and draft players that fit their eye. They will figure out their place in the rotation later.

    Minutes are ultimately earned.