The Orlando Magic are likely going to pick with the 15th pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. We begin examining the players the Magic could target.
The NBA world has stopped. The Orlando Magic’s season was put on hold for the virus and everything within the league — from when games will resume to the calendar — is in complete flux.
In many ways, the NBA world has not stopped. Time still marches on and franchises around the league are always preparing for the current season as much as they are preparing for the future.
While nobody yet knows when the NBA Draft will take place, the success of both the WNBA and NFL’s virtual draft certainly suggests the draft will take place at some point. Even if the NBA does not pick back up, players have to know whether they should prepare to join a NBA team in the fall or winter or go back to school.
Most NBA teams are already in summer mode in many ways. Magic coach Steve Clifford said he has been reviewing tape with his coaches and studying his team as if he were preparing to make offseason adjustments.
While president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman is surely devoting time and energy to preparing the AdventHealth Practice Facility to reopen for players and keeping up with his own players, he is also likely preparing for the draft.
Monday was the deadline for early entrant candidates to apply for the NBA Draft. More than 200 players declared their intent to enter the NBA Draft (they can still withdraw, although deadlines with the NCAA are still up in the air).
With that announcement too, the league has reportedly set up some ground rules for contacting prospects. There will not be any in-person workouts, but it seems possible that teams can watch players workout virtually or conduct some type of workout digitally.
The NBA Draft Lottery probably will not take place May 19 — the season likely will not be over by then — but the NBA Draft process is moving forward.
For the Magic, this figures to still be an important draft. Orlando will likely pick 15th or 16th depending on where the team finishes in the final standings. It is virtually the same spot the team drafted last year.
With little cap room once again this offseason, it again feels like this will be a player the Magic have to find some value in to add to the roster. Especially with the Magic adding another rookie in Chuma Okeke after deferring last year’s draft pick.
The Magic’s needs seem fairly clear. They need shooting, some added point guard depth and wing depth.
The Magic are always looking to add to the roster. Of course, draft philosophies vary and there is something to be said for taking the next best available player regardless of team needs.
Weltman’s drafting philosophy certainly favors physical length, but he has also proven he is not afraid to take the best player on his board and give them ample time to develop using the G-League.
But most fans would say the Magic are not doing a good job with this draft if they do not come out of it with a guard. There might be some kernel of truth to that. The Magic certainly could not afford to defer another draft.
We have begun to put together our board at Orlando Magic Daily.
This is your inside take on the Magic’s draft needs, pick selections and scouting reports as we continue our early stages of draft review.
We have identified nine potential first-round targets the Magic can land at pick 15.
These rankings are building off of our previous reports looking at the top of the draft (where there are at least some people who think the Magic could trade up), the shooters in the draft and even some of the dark horse players the Magic could reach for or get.
We will be revisiting the draft more and more as we arrive closer to draft night. A list of my top 71 right now is available here as a Google Doc. I will update it more as we get closer to the Draft.
Up first are our point guards.
The Point Guards
R.J. Hampton
Age: 19 Height: 6-5 Weight: 182lbs Projects: Point Guard
2019: Played in Australia Born: Dallas, TX
Average Draft Pick: 12.8
Orlando Magic Daily Rank: 11
R.J. Hampton is probably out of reach for the Orlando Magic.
If he is available at No. 15, the Magic should draft him. I have him as my No. 11 overall player in the draft and he carries a 12.8 average draft pick amongst popular mock drafts.
Some will have you believe this unknown could be a top 10 pick. And at the beginning of the season, he almost certainly was a top-10 caliber pick. The talent is undoubtedly there.
Hampton played in the NBL in Australia professionally last year at age 18. With limited stats and minutes, it is not easy to project. An injury cut his season off short, so his stats are even more limited.
Arguably, he has the best-looking shot in the draft. But he just projects to need a bit of fine-tuning as with any rookie.
He can create and does not take bad shots. There is no proof however he can run an offense by himself.
He could also be the consistent shooter the Magic need, but he is not there yet of course. Hampton will expectedly come off the bench as a third point guard or even spell Markelle Fultz if the Magic keep Michael Carter-Williams as a 2-guard.
If D.J. Augustin goes somewhere else in the offseason, drafting Hampton may reveal that.
Tyrese Maxey
Age: 19 Height: 6-3 Weight: 198lb Projects: Point Guard
2019: Kentucky Born: Dallas, TX
Average Draft Pick: 17.2
Orlando Magic Daily Rank: 12
This Kentucky Wildcat could be a steal at pick No. 15 for the Magic. I have him as my No. 12 player in the draft and he trends a 17.2 average draft pick.
His exceedingly high agility separates him from defenders near the wing. He excelled in a tough conference in college, averaging 14.0 points and 3.2 assists per game in his lone season at Kentucky.
Maxey has a great-looking jump shot. His catch-and-shoot form is already there. He has great shot mechanics.
Maxey’s versatility will also be a plus. He could work as a point guard more at the NBA level. He would need time to make this transition to point, but it could pay off nicely.
Theo Maledon
Age: 18 (6/12/01) Height: 6-4 Weight: 180lb Projects: Point Guard
2019: France Born: Rouen, France
Average Draft Pick: 17.6
Orlando Magic Daily Rank: 13
France’s Theo Maledon could be a great value pick for the Magic as I have him ranked the 13th best player in this year’s draft. He currently sits with a 17.6 average draft pick amongst a host of experts.
Both Evan Fournier and Theo Maledon have won France’s best young player award. Maledon has dealt with some injuries this year, but his basketball smarts and lateral quickness stand out. Those are things Jeff Weltman and the Magic typically like.
That, and his positive wingspan.
Maledon is a spark plug with a smooth jumper and ball-handling. He reacts fast and anticipates ball movement. You could see him spelling Fultz making an immediate impact or playing alongside him.
The Shooting Guards
Josh Green
Age: 19 Height: 6-6 Weight: 210lb Projects: Shooting Guard
2019: Arizona Born: Sydney, Australia
Average Draft Pick: 18.8
Orlando Magic Daily Rank: 14
Australia is increasingly making its presence on the basketball stage known with several players now making impact in the NBA, a strong showing at the FIBA World Cup last summer and as a growing league hosting some of the best young talent deciding to skip the NCAA route.
The Boomers still have some players making their way stateside. Arizona Wildcats guard Josh Green is certainly carrying on that legacy.
This Aussie is ranked number 14 in my ranking and has an average draft pick of 18.8. If the Magic are looking for a shooter, Green may be the look.
He reminds me of Dan Majerle. He is fast in transition and shoots quick off the pass. He made 36.1 percent of his 3-pointers last year with Arizona.
He could be a Terrence Ross-type player. A decreased role in the offense may translate to an improved jumper. and better efficiency.
Green is a solid defender as well with the ability to challenge some bigger forwards on defense.
Devin Vassell
Age: 19 (8/23/00) Height: 6-6 Weight: 187lb Projects: Shooting Guard
2019: Florida State Born: Suwanee, GA
Average Draft Pick: 19
Orlando Magic Daily Rank: 17
I have ranked popular Magic pick and Florida State Seminoles guard Devin Vassell is ranked 17th in my rankings. Two spots ahead of his 19 average draft pick rating.
But Vassell is one of the risers in most mock drafts and with scouts. He had a stellar junior year and likely would have led Florida State on a deep NCAA Tournament run.
Vassell might arguably be the best all-around player in the draft. He looks like he could be interchangeable at 1- and 2-guard positions. He could make an immediate impact for most teams.
He is possibly the best defending guard too in the draft. He is a polished shooter and a plus defender who does not turn the ball over.
If the Magic end up with Vassell it could be a blessing. He may be undervalued currently, and I imagine him climbing in average draft pick percentage as we near the draft.
Aaron Nesmith
Age: 20 Height: 6-6 Weight: 215lb Projects: Shooting Guard
2019: Vanderbilt Born: Charleston, SC
Average Draft Pick: 19.6
Orlando Magic Daily Rank: 19
This Vanderbilt Commodore is 19th on my draft board and has a 19.6 average draft pick in most mocks.
He is a consistent high-percentage shooter and a possible closer if given the late shot. He possibly would be ranked higher without the fractured right foot he suffered in January.
He can play small forward and guard.
The skill is undeniable though. He arguably is the best long-range shooter in the draft.
NBA.com points out he was well on his way to setting SEC shooting records before his foot injury which shouldn’t be a factor going forward.
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
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.
Did we miss anyone? Let us know below in the comments.