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4 draft prospects Orlando Magic fans should know about

By Dan Bennett

DURHAM, NC - JANUARY 15: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils dunks the ball against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 15, 2022 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 88-73. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - JANUARY 15: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils dunks the ball against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 15, 2022 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 88-73. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – JANUARY 20: Jaden Ivey #23 of the Purdue Boilermakers dribbles the ball while against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on January 20, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – JANUARY 20: Jaden Ivey #23 of the Purdue Boilermakers dribbles the ball while against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on January 20, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

4 Draft Prospects Orlando Magic fans should know

Jaden Ivey, Purdue

The Orlando Magic are pretty well-stocked for the future at the guard spots right now — with Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Markelle Fultz and R.J. Hampton all on the roster. But if the Magic do not land a top-three pick to select one of the consensus top prospects in Paolo Banchero, Jabari Smith or Chet Holmgren, then Jaden Ivey looks like the next best choice.

He has made big strides forward since his freshman year at Purdue — shooting 42.4 percent from deep this season — a powerful tool to have when considering that much of the focus from opposing defenses is on stopping him using his superior athleticism and quickness to get into the paint and score.

The combo guard is one of the best athletes in the class. He is explosive with the ball in his hands — even drawing some comparisons to Ja Morant because of his athleticism — and has shown he can make tough finishes at the rim. His speed makes him extremely dangerous in the pick and roll.

His athleticism also translates across to defense. He is a good on-ball defender with the lateral quickness to halt opposing guards. He has the wingspan to disrupt passing lanes and grab steals.

Ivey has a lot of work still to do though.

He is not a versatile shot-creator like some of those widely ranked ahead of him in the draft and he still has to prove he can shoot well consistently given just how big his leap compared with his freshman year has been.

Ivey also needs to improve his playmaking and relies a lot on his driving to the rim to create opportunities for others.

Given the Magic drafted Jalen Suggs last year and there currently looks to be better, more suitable players for Orlando in this year’s draft class, landing Jaden Ivey would not be the preferable option but he is clearly a very talented player that could become a future NBA star.