Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft 2.0: After the ping pong balls drop

Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft: On the clock

By John Lenny Black

Falling to the fifth spot in the draft on lottery night was obviously not the outcome the Orlando Magic wanted to see. In a draft that has long been touted as a five-man draft, all control has been taken out of the Magic’s hands. But that does not mean the Magic will not get a good player.

Jonathan Kuminga’s G-League Ignite coach Brian Shaw said recently Kuminga is “the most intriguing prospect” in this year’s draft, and I think intriguing is probably the right word. I have been watching back some of the Ignite games and Kuminga seems to be the most natural fit for this Magic team.

At 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot wingspan, he is a good-sized wing with two-way potential. On the offensive side of the ball, Kuminga does not need to be the primary ball-handler to be effective. He moves well without the ball and is a willing cutter who can finish around the basket with his outstanding athleticism — all of which plays pretty nicely with the plethora of guards we have.

Although his percentages will not show it, Kuminga has a decent mid-range pull-up, he just does not go to it a lot and ends up forcing a lot of threes. In his 13 G-League games he only shot 25-percent from beyond the arc, but recently shot an outstanding 65-percent from three at his pro day.

I believe a lot of his low percentages can be attributed to inexperience, forcing bad shots and a bit of a reliance on his athleticism. But Kuminga has the raw skill and talent to be a special player.

That being said, I am not sure Kuminga will be there for the Magic at 5. He has recently drawn interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers at 3 — where he would be an ideal fit if the Cavs do end up holding on to Collin Sexton — and the Toronto Raptors at 4 — where Pascal Siakam was just rumored to be a potential target for the Golden State Warriors.

Omar Cabrera: Jonathan Kuminga

If the Orlando Magic remain with the fifth pick, it is going to be whoever is still available from the top five. In this case, it is Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga is one of, if not the most, NBA-ready bodies while having one of the highest ceilings in this draft. With Kuminga seeming to be improving his three-point shot, this may end up being a blessing in disguise for Orlando.

Philip Rossman-Reich: Jonathan Kuminga

We have long said this is a five-person draft. No reason for that notion to change. The Orlando Magic need talent above everything else and Jonathan Kuminga gives the team the most talented player they can find with what is available in the draft. There might be some fit concerns, but when you are starting over, you need a central figure to build around first. Kuminga is the best shot at that.

Dan Bennett: Jonathan Kuminga

My pick for the Orlando Magic would also be Jonathan Kuminga. Landing outside of the top four was a real blow for Orlando and Kuminga’s inefficiency is a huge red flag. But Jeff Weltman has to take a player with some star potential at five. He could opt for a safer bet, but Kuminga’s athleticism and two-way potential are enough to warrant going at five.

Jean Racine: Jonathan Kuminga

I agree with John, my pick for the Orlando Magic would be Jonathan Kuminga. Regardless of fit, the Magic have to pick the best player available. Kuminga has long been thought to be the fifth-best prospect in the draft, and he has all the tools to be great at the next level.

Isaac Ryu: Jonathan Kuminga

I can go with everyone else. Jonathan Kuminga is my pick for the Orlando Magic at five. Skill-wise, I think the flashes he has shown with the G-League Ignite have been enough to make him a worthy pick in the top five.

Fit-wise, I think the Magic will be taking the best player available and due to his size and physical tools, it does not seem like there would be too much redundancy with him playing alongside players like Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac or Wendell Carter.

There is no pressure for the Magic to win right now so taking on Kuminga as a long-term project would be one of the Magic’s better options.

Jacob Warfle: Jonathan Kuminga

I agree, Jonathan Kuminga is the right pick here for the Orlando Magic. It has long been believed this draft has a clear top five, so it is a no-brainer to go with the last elite prospect available here. Although the Magic are not in a position to be worried about “fit” quite yet, Kuminga plugs into their current roster just about as well as one could hope. Kuminga may be a project, but his ceiling is as high as anyone at the top of this draft.

Timmy Monaghan: Scottie Barnes

Unpopular opinion I am sure, but I am going against the grain and saying the Orlando Magic should draft Scottie Barnes if he is still available. Even if Jonathan Kuminga is on the board. Barnes seems like a better fit for the Magic with more positional flexibility on both ends of the court. Plus, a more efficient player right now who has the intangibles that I am looking for.

Max Mortensen: Jonathan Kuminga

Jonathan Kuminga is the right pick purely because of his high ceiling. There are some reported murmurs he could be the player who falls too low because teams are focused on the “big four” at the top. Based on his size and scoring potential, I think it is the right fit with this roster.

Andres Rosero: Scottie Barnes

Many will be turned off by his awkward shot mechanics but scared money does not make money. Scottie Barnes projects immediately to become a contributor on the defensive end and his combination of height and length (6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan) paired with Jonathan Isaac should propel the Magic from the banality of defensive mediocrity.  Pair his defensive prowess with ample ball-handling skills and an incredible motor, and you have a potential two-way stud on your hands.

Justin Szemes: Jonathan Kuminga

I also think the pick here is Jonathan Kuminga. He has all the physical tools to be a good NBA player. The question with Kuminga after last season playing for G-League Ignite is his efficiency. It was disappointing for the Orlando Magic to fall outside the top four so a player with this kind of upside is a good pick here.