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Orlando Magic 2021 NBA Draft Preview: Josh Giddey’s size deserves a look

By Jacob Warfle

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 24: Josh Giddey of the 36ers dribbles the ball during the round 15 NBL match between Melbourne United and the Adelaide 36ers at John Cain Arena, on April 24, 2021, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 24: Josh Giddey of the 36ers dribbles the ball during the round 15 NBL match between Melbourne United and the Adelaide 36ers at John Cain Arena, on April 24, 2021, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic have two picks in the top 10 of the 2021 NBA Draft, opening up countless possibilities for the franchise. Although he may fall a little bit later than the fifth or eighth pick, Josh Giddey is a prospect that deserves a look from the Magic.

Breaking onto the scene while playing for the NBA Global Academy, Giddey emerged as Australia’s top prospect at only 17 years old. This, paired with an all-star performance at the Basketball Without Borders camp, brought on multiple NCAA offers and turned many scouts’ heads.

In what has proved to be a good decision, Giddey chose to bypass the NCAA to play for the Adelaide 36ers as part of the NBL. Giddey took the league by storm, winning rookie of the year and leading the NBL in assists with 7.6 per game. Both marks came a year after NBA Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball completed both feats.

That is good company.

Josh Giddey is a point guard in a forward’s body and has NBA scouts buzzing for his potential as a playmaker as he gets set to enter the NBA and build on the NBL’s successful legacy of going to the NBA.

Now at only 18 years of age, Giddey looks to be one of the more unique and intriguing prospects in the draft.

He is a 6-foot-9, 210-pound point guard, with great playmaking and feel for the game. On paper, he is the type of prospect you would create in a lab to be a primary facilitator in today’s NBA.

Using his length and vision, Giddey passes freely with both hands and can whip the ball all over the court with ease. He is a great change-of-pace dribbler and attacks the pick-and-roll looking to make plays for others. He looks to push the ball ahead on fast breaks but does not need to be the one finishing every play.

Giddey’s strengths go well beyond passing. He rebounds the ball extremely well for a guard, making him a triple-double threat the second he steps on the floor.

In the NBL last season, he averaged 10.7 points per game, 7.6 assists per game and an impressive 7.3 rebounds per game. This type of well-rounded approach is what teams are looking for in a lead guard.

As one would guess, Giddey’s size and versality create real match-up problems on both ends. On offense, it is tough for other point guards to cover him. On defense, he can switch almost everything and defend four positions.

The biggest question mark here is how well will that transition to the next level.

And that i’s the thing, most of Giddey’s weaknesses are about how well his game will transition to the NBA.

Scouts are worried about his overall athleticism and his first step. On tape, Giddey does not jump out of the gym or blow by people. His first step lacks some of the punch that other top prospects have.

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    • As far as his shooting goes, this is still a major unknown. Giddey shot only 29.3-percent from three during his one season in the NBL. He showed good touch on floaters and pull-ups, but some scouts believe his shot is too slow as currently constructed.

    Giddey certainly is not the first big playmaker with shooting questions, another fellow Australian comes to mind.

    As it is with all young prospects, it will come down to his ability to adapt. Will Giddey be willing to rebuild his jump shot? Will he be willing to get in the weight room to add more explosiveness?

    There have at least been some early encouraging signs for Giddey and his jumper as he has continued to work while playing for the Australia Boomers in the Olympics.

    At some points, these questions will be answered. But for now, teams will have to rely on what they see and project his ceiling accordingly.

    Most mock drafts have Josh Giddey slotted somewhere in the 10-15 range, with the potential to move up depending on who you talk to.

    With Giddey’s size and length, he is certainly someone who is on the Orlando Magic’s radar as they prepare to pick with the eighth pick, especially.

    The Magic will likely take a forward with their first pick, leading most to believe they will go in an offensive direction at the eighth spot. It is tough to really pinpoint what exact options the Magic will be considering, but they need to do their due diligence on Giddey.

    If they end up deciding Giddey is their guy, there is a chance a trade down could be in play.

    Next. 5 second round options for the Orlando Magic. dark

    If the Magic really believe in Giddey’s ceiling, current roster construction should not sway them either way. Crowded backcourts always find a way of working themselves out. If Giddey is as good as some think he is, an NBA team will be giving him the keys to the car in no time.