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Orlando Magic Daily 2022 NBA Draft Big Board 2.0: Time to consider needs

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jabari Smith could be the next coming of Rashard Lewis and the top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Jabari Smith could be the next coming of Rashard Lewis and the top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona Wildcats
Bennedict Mathurin was late coming to basketball but quickly turned heads after a stellar sophomore season. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports /

2022 Orlando Magic Daily Big Board 2.0

Other Candidates

My personal search for a player who can both play a role as a 3-point shooter with the potential to be a scorer and creator — a star — is what has me flipping Bennedict Mathurin to sixth on my board this time around.

Mathurin is an improving shooter and scorer who is already a solid defender. His big breakout game in the NCAA Tournament at least hints at his ability to be a primary scorer on the team. But he at least should measure out as a 3-and-D wing at minimum.

That kind of protection will be valuable for a team like the Magic who is looking to fill in their roster and find the right players to build around.

Mathurin averaged 17.7 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game last year for Arizona, shooting 45.0-percent overall and 36.9-percent from deep as his usage increased. He accumulated 2.2 defensive win shares and a +1.9 defensive box plus-minus according to Sports-Reference.

Mathurin still has a long way to go to get where he wants to be. But it is clear what his upside can be.

Keegan Murray might be the sleeper among all these players. And concerns about his age — he will be 22 in August — are perhaps a bit overblown.

Murray had a breakout season last year, averaging 23.5 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game with 39.8-percent shooting from beyond the arc. That has all the makings of everything the Magic need.

Murray projects as a solid shooter at the very least. And there is nothing the Magic need more — the Magic were 28th in 3-point field goal percentage this year and 11th in attempts per game. Shooting has been a sore spot since Dwight Howard left a decade ago. And it is clear how important shooting is to success in the playoffs.

That will keep Murray on their radar, even if he may have less upside than others on this list.

Murray will find a place to fit. That is what shooters find in this league. And that is why he remains so highly touted.