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NBA Draft: Early draft options for the Orlando Magic with the 15th pick

By Chet Stirston

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 16: Head Coach Steve Clifford of the Orlando Magic attends Day One of the 2019 NBA Draft Combine on May 16, 2019 at the Quest MultiSport Complex 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 16: Head Coach Steve Clifford of the Orlando Magic attends Day One of the 2019 NBA Draft Combine on May 16, 2019 at the Quest MultiSport Complex 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Precious Achiuwa, Memphis Tigers
PORTLAND, OREGON – NOVEMBER 12: Precious Achiuwa #55 of the Memphis Tigers, Francis Okoro #33 of the Oregon Ducks, James Wiseman #32 of the Memphis Tigers and Chris Duarte #5 of the Oregon Ducks battle for position during the first half of the game between the Oregon Ducks and Memphis Grizzlies at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

The Forwards

Precious Achiuwa

Age: 20 (9/19/99) Height: 6-9 Weight: 225lbs Projects: Power Forward
2019: Memphis   Born: Port Harcourt, Nigeria Hometown: Bronx, NY

Average Draft Pick: 18.8
Orlando Magic Daily Rank:  15

Ther is a good chance this Nigerian and Memphis Tigers product is available for the Orlando Magic. Consequently, I have him as my 15th-ranked player in the draft. He trends an 18.8 average draft pick.

This would not be a bad selection for the Magic though despite their glut at power forward.  To add a big man for the paint to come in behind Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon and boost lineups with Mohamed Bamba is needed. Al-Farouq Aminu is an injury liability after tearing his meniscus this year.

Picking Achiuwa could upgrade the Magic defensively immediately. He is very physical under the basket. An animated and physical athlete coupled with a strong floor presence may be a welcomed change for Magic fans.

He is a bit undersized for a center, but he could be a great energy addition. Especially for a more established team, quicker spurts might help his development more.

Saddiq Bey, Villanova Wildcats
Saddiq Bey was a bulldozing forward with Villanova and his shooting makes him even more intriguing. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Saddiq Bey

Age: 21 Height: 6-8 Weight: 216lb Projects:  Small Forward
2019: Villanova   Born: Charlotte, NC

Average Draft Pick: 19
Orlando Magic Daily Rank:  16

Out of Villanova, Saddiq Bey is good enough for my 16th-best player in the draft.  With an average draft pick value of 19, Bey could be a target for the Magic to fit current team needs.

He was first in the Big East in three-point percentage at 45.1 percent. Bey is a big 6-foot-8, 216-pounds forward. He uses that size well. Not only was he a great shooter, but he was a great defender. This is your prototypical 3-and-D player at the college level at least.

Bey was the winner of the Julius Erving Award for top small forward play in the country. And it was well deserved.

He has good instincts away from the ball, is a methodical type player and is fast off the dribble. His above-average shot seems ready to make an immediate impact on most teams. His lateral quickness will be the question as he translates to the NBA. But he already has the strength and shot to impact quickly.

Jaden McDaniels

Age: 19 (9/29/00) Height: 6-10 Weight: 200lb Projects: Small Forward
2019: Washington Born:  Federal Way, WA

Average Draft Pick: 19.2
Orlando Magic Daily Rank:  18

It is hard to call Jaden McDaniels a reach for the Orlando Magic if he is in fact available. I have him as my 18th-ranked player this year. He still is in the top-20 with average draft pick, checking in at a 19.2 average draft pick in mock drafts.

He can create his own shot with his height and lankiness and he has an above-average jumper already. He can shoot the ball over defenders effortlessly.

Other scouting reports note his size, or more importantly that he is not a prototypical looking forward. He is more on the lean side.

This can be misinterpreted as a weakness. The team that selects him should consider defensive matchups if they are worried about his size. McDaniels looks like a natural shooter who happens to be 6-foot-10.

Think of him as a more offensive-minded and skilled Jonathan Isaac.

Next. Lessons from The Last Dance: Great teams inject a little toughness. dark

Did we miss anyone? Let us know below in the comments.