Now that the general disappointment of the Draft Lottery has subsided and the focus has turned on scouting and mocking players for the Orlando Magic at the Nos. 5 and 8 spots in the NBA Draft, it is important to take stock of which position groups the Magic should target in this draft based on the current depth chart and positional analysis.
The first place to start is the Magic need just about everything. After a 21-51 season that saw the team finish 14th in the Eastern Conference and the third-worst record in the NBA, the Magic are not in a position to be picky.
Even with all the injuries the team faced last year and some key players returning, Orlando needs better talent as they try to pick up the pieces for this latest rebuild.
The Orlando Magic are entering the NBA Draft with a lot of questions for how to rebuild their roster. While positional need is not a priority, some consideration to the roster as it already exists has to be part of the proocess.
Still, even president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman admits the team has to have some consideration for how the whole puzzle fits together. The team has to put some consideration on its roster.
Today, we will be ranking the positions of need for the Magic heading into the draft as well as some potential targets the Magic can (realistically) draft at their current draft positions.
Orlando Magic Draft Positional Needs: 1. Small Forward
Projected Depth Chart: Chuma Okeke, Terrence Ross, James Ennis (FA), Dwayne Bacon (FA)
Potential Targets: Jonathan Kuminga, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Johnson
This ranking comes with a few assumptions on the positional classification of Jonathan Isaac and Chuma Okeke. Based on the Orlando Magic’s draft position and the positional versatility of both Isaac and Okeke, both can play multiple positions but both have an injury history in their young careers, it is easy to slot them both at the forward positions. That does not mean the spot is settled, especially off the bench where the undersized Terrence Ross still sits.
Thankfully, this draft class is saturated with incredibly raw yet talented small forward prospects for the Magic to select.
The top small forward in this class among most major draft networks is Jonathan Kuminga, the 19-year-old Congo native who, along with fellow top prospect Jalen Green, famously declined to play college basketball for the G-League Ignite experiment.
The first thing that immediately stands out when watching Kuminga is his length and athleticism – recorded at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot wingspan, Kuminga is an explosive athlete who has among the greatest physical tools of any prospect in this year’s class.
Orlando Magic
While Kuminga tends to rely on his athleticism, he has shown some shot-making ability and has demonstrated some impressive (although developing) move sets such as a capable fadeaway and spin move along with the ability to cut off the ball.
Although Kuminga may not be the most polished player in this class, it is clear he has the confidence to attempt difficult shots. His fit within the Magic would be seamless.
His length paired with Okeke and Isaac as well as his athleticism paired with R.J. Hampton would create an exciting athletic team with the wingspan to conceivably devastate offenses with switches and athleticism.
Beyond Kuminga, Scottie Barnes and Jalen Johnson are intriguing prospects for the Magic to consider.
Barnes in particular would be a defensive boon when paired with Jonathan Isaac, as his freakish wingspan of 7-foot-2 would be a nightmare for most, if not all, perimeter players. In college he often defended opposing point guards and was more than capable in that spot.
Combined with his strength (227 pounds) and high motor, the Magic would immediately get a pro-ready defensive counterpart to Isaac.
Barnes is capable of distributing the basketball and is comfortable with handling the basketball and commanding the offense — a sentiment shared by Florida State, who started Barnes at point guard.
Meet Scottie Barnes...your team's lottery pick?
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) June 23, 2021
19 years old, 6'9", 227 lbs., 7'2" wingspan
Strong defender, good scorer, good passer, BIG in the key moments. @accmbb @FSUHoops pic.twitter.com/Cwj6s7gqAP
Barnes’ biggest issue will be his shooting motion, noted by many scouts as his weakness coming into the draft.
Barnes has an awkward shooting motion that needs to be retooled coming into the NBA. This issue, however, is one that Barnes has been working on if his Combine tapes give us any indication.
Scottie Barnes' energy, length and improved shooting stroke were on full display with a ton of decision makers courtside at the BDA Sports Pro Day at the NBA Combine yesterday. That's cash... pic.twitter.com/EnkmThIcwr
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 28, 2021
Kuminga or Barnes would give the Magic a perfect offensive and defensive pairing for the cadre of lengthy, athletic players the Magic currently have and should be the priority for Weltman and crew at either the fifth or the eighth picks.
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.
Orlando Magic Draft Positional Needs: 3. Shooting Guard
Pre-Draft Depth Chart: Gary Harris, Michael Carter-Williams
Potential Targets: Jalen Green, James Bouknight, Moses Moody
Generally speaking, the Orlando Magic backcourt rotation projects to be a strength of this team heading into the 2022 season.
A mix of intriguing prospects like Cole Anthony and R.J. Hampton as well as veterans such as Gary Harris and Markelle Fultz gives the Magic an embarrassment of riches with their guard rotation.
But with a slight caveat.
As of this writing, only one of the members of this cadre has even a semblance of a consistent jump shot. Even including Chuma Okeke into this group, only Cole Anthony has shown the willingness to become a go-to scoring option needed for a true star shooting guard.
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This draft has many talented shooting guard prospects the Magic should consider in order to find a true 2-guard who could be a leader of the offense as this core develops.
Any discussion about potentially great shooting guards in this class begins and ends with Jalen Green.
While it may be a long shot for the Magic to draft Green at the fifth pick, any prospect not named Cade Cunningham should not be viewed as a lock at any of the top-5 draft positions.
With that being said, Green’s potential as a take-over scoring threat is tantalizing and would be the crown jewel of the Magic backcourt rotation.
Green is an incredibly skilled offensive player capable of scoring from a myriad of different ways.
He has a solid perimeter jumper and is capable of operating as a primary ball-handler yet is athletic and savvy enough to operate as an off-ball cutter and spot-up shooter in certain offensive sets. His athleticism allows him to drive past defenders and his improving ball-handling skills allows him to gain separation.
Green needs to grow into his frame before becoming a truly elite offensive threat, yet his inclusion into the Magic lineup would provide a much-needed offensive punch to the rotation.
But SHEESH Jalen Green can do it all. Can finish in a variety of ways, get to any spot on the floor, shoot from anywhere, use elite athleticism to get open off ball, has a quick release & pretty stroke & I think his play-making is right around the corner.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) June 29, 2021
61% TS in the G-League. pic.twitter.com/b3qdaGwwaC
In the likely outcome that Green is off the board by the Magic’s selection, there are still intriguing shooting guard prospects that could be available at the eighth pick.
Among the most fitting of these is UConn’s James Bouknight.
Recognized by many NBA scouts as one of the best scorers in this class, Bouknight parlayed an impressive (albeit shortened due to injuries) sophomore season by displaying a dazzling display of perimeter shooting and ball-handling that conjures images of C.J. McCollum.
UConn's James Bouknight put on an absolutely incredible shooting display at his NBA Combine Pro Day workout today. Shot the cover off the ball, showing phenomenal footwork, touch and body control. pic.twitter.com/XzHdjwLpRK
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 26, 2021
Bouknight comes with injury issues as well as a reputation as a streaky scorer (eerily similar to Cole Anthony) yet his ability to produce offensively should be a point of emphasis given the offensive malaise of the Magic in previous years.
The other option at this spot is guard Moses Moody.
The Arkansas guard measured with a 7-foot-0.75 wingspan to go with his 6-foot-6 height at the Combine. But it is his shooting ability and defensive prowess that has caught plenty of eyes.
Moody feels like a strong candidate to be a 3-and-D player who fills a clear positional and skill need for a team like the Magic.
Orlando Magic Draft Positional Needs: 4. Center
Pre-Draft Depth Chart: Wendell Carter, Mohamed Bamba, Moritz Wagner (FA)
Potential Targets: Alperen Sengun
Between point guard and center, it is difficult to parse out which position the Orlando Magic have the most talent at.
Mohamed Bamba and Wendell Carter showed incredible progress down the stretch of the 2021 season, as both players took turns demonstrating their potential with increased opportunities.
With that being said, both Bamba and Carter will be eligible for contract extensions this offseason ahead of their restricted free agency next summer. It may not make financial sense to bring both back on new contracts — or either at all for what they might seek. Both players will likely play out this year and have to prove their worth to the Magic and the league.
It would not be surprising then to see the Magic cover themselves and seek out a center. Should they target a center, this class does have a prospect of interest in Alperen Sengun.
Sengun comes into the league having had incredible production in the international game. the 19-year-old is the reigning MVP of the Turkish Super League, averaging an absurd 19 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists per game as well as 1.4 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.
Watching any Sengun tape should give Magic fans immediate flashes of the abilities of yet another skilled low post center from Europe — Nikola Vucevic.
Sengun is a gifted low post scorer who has a bevy of impressive moves around the basket. His footwork is especially impressive for such a young player as he is able to shake and shimmy his way around much bigger post defenders while absolutely abusing smaller guys that are switched on him.
Sengun is an intelligent offensive player who sets timely picks and is able to pass himself out of the pick and roll effectively, a skill the Magic were sorely missing since the departure of Vucevic.
If his 80-percent free-throw shooting gives any indication, Sengun has the potential of developing a perimeter game to complement his already impressive repertoire.
Like most bigs in his mold, his lack of lateral quickness on defense is his biggest drawback. Yet in a system that could conceivably deploy players like Jonathan Isaac and Chuma Okeke as perimeter defenders, there are multiple options to cover for his defensive shortcomings.
Perhaps the Magic will not prioritize center at either of their first round picks, but Sengun would be an intriguing prospect to consider at the eighth pick should the Magic wish to relive some of the skills that Vucevic employed.
Orlando Magic Draft Positional Needs: 5. Point Guard
Pre-Draft Depth Chart: Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, R.J. Hampton, Chasson Randle (FA)
Potential Targets: Cade Cunningham, Jalen Suggs
Point guard is by far the most stacked position the Orlando Magic have at their disposal. Three young and exciting players make up a point guard rotation that could see the Magic have a starting option at the point for all 48 minutes, regardless of who is leading the offense.
While point guard is the strongest position on the team, it is telling that had the Magic gotten a top 3 draft position, there would have been legitimate consideration for a player like Jalen Suggs.
This is less an indictment on Anthony, Hampton and Fultz but more a sign that each of these players have pronounced weaknesses in their respective games that need to be addressed in the offseason.
I believe the Magic do not pursue a point guard in this draft, instead choosing to ride with internal development of their three point guards going into the next season.