Orlando Magic Draft Positional Needs: 2. Power Forward
Pre-Draft Depth Chart: Jonathan Isaac, Otto Porter (FA), Ignas Brazdeikis (FA)
Potential Targets: Kai Jones, Usman Garuba
Jonathan Isaac may perhaps be the Orlando Magic’s best overall two-way player. Yet he is returning from a serious ACL tear that kept him out of the lineup for the entire 2021 season.
Besides Isaac, the depth at power forward is less than appealing. Chuma Okeke played primarily power forward last year but could split duties between the forward positions. With incumbents James Ennis, Moritz Wagner and Ignas Brazdeikis all free agents this offseason, indicating a serious need for a power forward capable of relieving Isaac in the minutes he sits.
While not as replete with talent as the point guard and small forward positions, there are some intriguing options at power forward that the Magic can look at.
Kai Jones is perhaps the most tantalizing power forward prospect in this class.
Jones has traditional power forward height (6-foot-11) yet has incredible speed stemming from his days as a track and field athlete. This combination enables him to be a solid defensive contributor as well as a complementary piece on offense, where his speed can be used in the pick and roll as well as an off-ball cutter for primary ball handlers.
Jones was also a capable perimeter shooter in college, a skill that could be incredibly useful as he transitions into the NBA.
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Jones will need to bulk up if he wishes to expand his game though. His skinny 218-pound frame for a power forward could cause issues with stronger players at his position. Jones’ relative basketball experience (he began playing basketball at 15) will cause some growing pains as he acclimates to professional basketball.
Of note too, Jones finished his high school career at Orlando Christian Prep after some other prep schools following his move from the Bahamas.
As a prospect, Usman Garuba is diametric to Kai Jones.
Garuba comes into the league having already played professional basketball with Real Madrid and demonstrating dominant defensive potential.
Garuba is an intelligent player who uses his understanding of offensive schemes and positioning to pester ball handlers and disrupt pick and rolls often. Garuba is a strong help defender who handles switches well and has the frame and lateral quickness to defend multiple positions.
His weaknesses as a prospect begin and end at the offensive end, where the absence of a consistent jump shot and varied ball-handling skills limit his ceiling as a two-way player unless offensive sets are designed explicitly for him.
Garuba would be a reach at the eighth pick for the Magic. But should the Magic wish to fill a need for a power forward or center, Garuba is an instant contributor that would fill some of Isaac’s defensive production were he to sit for extended periods of time.