4 draft prospects Orlando Magic fans should know about

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DURHAM, NC – JANUARY 22: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils react following a three-point basket against the Syracuse Orange in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 22, 2022 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

The 2022 NBA Draft might feel like a long time away, but fans of the Orlando Magic could be forgiven for already dreaming of draft night.

A victory against the Chicago Bulls, which included some mesmerizing dunks from rookie guard Jalen Suggs, shows there are still moments to enjoy this season. But for the most part, it has been a very tough watch. Injuries have kept key players out and with just nine wins all season, one thing is absolutely clear.

The Magic need more talent at the top end of the roster to start competing again. The biggest way the team can build into one that can contend in the playoffs for the coming years is through the draft.

With the worst record in the NBA, the Orlando Magic will be hoping for one of the very top picks in this year’s draft. And with that in mind, here are the players fans should keep an eye on before the draft takes place.

There is still a dearth of offensive creativity, shot creation and overall shooting ability on this roster. The team is far too reliant on rookie Franz Wagner and second-year player Cole Anthony to get buckets. And Anthony’s demise has hurt the team more than it should have done.

This year’s draft was always going to be an important step in the front office’s plan to rebuild the team. As Joel Embiid showed in the Magic’s recent loss to Philadelphia, landing a superstar in the draft changes everything — even when the rest of the team isn’t quite up to scratch.

And this year’s class is full of potential stars, many of whom could go a long way in fixing the Magic’s offensive weaknesses.

4 Draft Prospects Orlando Magic fans should know

Paolo Banchero, Duke

The early frontrunner to be the number one pick in the draft, Paolo Banchero combines size with incredible athleticism, a strong handle and a lot of potential as a jump shooter.

He has a versatile offensive game. He shows so much creativity with the ball in his hands to get his own shot. He can bully his way into the paint and finish with his size and power at 6-foot-10, hit pull-up shots off the dribble or space the floor by knocking down threes off the catch. His arsenal of shots is just so vast.

There is so much to like about Banchero.

He is averaging 17.9 points per game to show off his scoring prowess. He rebounds well too — averaging 7.9 per game for Duke. He has the three-level scoring ability that you do not see in a lot of draft prospects coming into the NBA.

The Magic really lack good self-shot creators right now. For all the defensive potential on the roster, there just are not enough guys who can break down defenses off the dribble and score in isolation. Banchero is exactly what this team is lacking — the kind of guy you can throw the ball to get a bucket towards the end of a shot clock when the opposing defense is still set.

He would be the home run for the Magic in this year’s draft. There are still improvements to be made in his shooting — with the 19-year-old going just 33.3 percent from three this season — but he is an offensive machine and Orlando should absolutely bank on his shot improving if the lottery is kind.

Banchero’s ability does not just consist of his scoring either. His body is ready for the NBA and he has all the tools to be a good defender, while also flashing some playmaking ability too. Pairing him with either Wagner or Isaac as a forward duo is an exciting prospect with the size and two-way potential it would provide.