Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft Version 1.0: A lot of options for the Orlando Magic

The Magic’s Pick

The Orlando Magic clearly have a lot of options on the table. The guys fans really want might well be gone by the time they pick here. The hopes of adding a shooter are likely tied to how the Draft goes down. Outside of Devin Vassell and Aaron Nesmith, there probably are not many knock-down shooters the Magic should jump on.

Instead, it feels like this Draft will be one for the Magic to shore up their depth. And with the number of point guards in this draft — and potentially quality backup point guards — it is here where the Magic should put at least some of their focus.

Both Michael Carter-Williams and D.J. Augustin hitting free agency this summer, it is reasonable to believe the Magic could let one walk and use the draft for their third or backup point guard — Steve Clifford likes to run a lot of two point guard lineups.

Even with how this mock draft has shaken up, there are options here between North Carolina Tar Heels guard Cole Anthony and France’s Theo Maledon. Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyrese Maxey and guard R.J. Hampton certainly could fall to this spot.

But I go with Theo Maledon as the pick for the Magic at this juncture. He presents a player who should be able to fill in that backup or spot-minute role quickly and contribute faster with still some potential to grow and support Markelle Fultz ahead of him.

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Maledon is fundamentally sound in every way. He is not an explosive athlete, something that might hold him back at the end of the day and limit his potential. But he is smart about how he drives and gets into the lane. He uses the athleticism he has well. If you give him a window, he will take it and get into the paint to draw fouls or score.

Maledon is a creative passer but he plays very much within himself. He knows what he is capable of and plays within that. Especially on defense, this is valuable. He is not taking any unnecessary risks.

He is not a great shooter yet. He is sometimes hesitant to shoot jumpers. But he was making them at a solid clip that as he gains strength and confidence, he should be able to add that to his game.

Coming to a place like Orlando with a solid foundation and the expectation to fill only a minor role could help him gain that confidence. Clearly defining what he needs to do and things he needs to work on should make him a better player in the long run.

Maledon will go through the ups and downs of a rookie, but I think he would be a very successful and smart pick for the Magic.