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Orlando Magic Offseason Needs: Shooting is the top priority

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Apr 16, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) shoots as Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) defends during the first half during game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) shoots as Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) defends during the first half during game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jordan Hawkins, UConn Huskies
UConn’s Jordan Hawkins is one of the best NBA prospect shooters remaining in this year’s draft. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

Orlando Magic Offseason Needs: Shooting

Option 2: The Draft

If there is one goal for the Orlando Magic on Draft night, it should be to come away with shooting. Whether that comes from a player the team selects in the Draft or comes from a trade on draft night. But the Magic should view shooting as such a big need that they address it in some way on draft night.

The good news for the Magic is that the draft does offer them plenty of options for shooters to add to the fold that should be available with the sixth pick and the 11th pick, where the team is currently projected to land in the Lottery.

Orlando could certainly knock out a few of their needs too while adding shooting.

The best shooter in the draft is likely Kansas guard Gradey Dick. Dick averaged 14.1 points per game, hitting on 40.3 percent of his 3-pointers on 5.7 attempts per game last year. He made 85.4 percent of his free throws.

Dick is the purest shooter in the draft class and the one who seems like he would jump right in and be a shooting specialist. He can hit shots in a variety of areas. His upside is limited. But shooting is such a premium that he would fit in well immediately.

He will be off the board if the Magic do not take him sixth. But there are other shooters to consider later on in the draft.

UConn’s Jordan Hawkins is the late riser in this draft, riding the wave of the national championship for sure. Hawkins averaged 16.2 points per game shooting 38.8 percent from deep on 7.6 attempts per game with an 88.7 percent free throw percentage.

This statistical profile from Hawkins actually looks a lot better than Dick’s profile. And Hawkins can attack a little bit more off the dribble. But Hawkins is a bit older after staying in school for two years.

But UConn runs an offense that is similar to an NBA offense. He was able to shoot on the move and hit a lot of the shots that NBA teams will love.

If the Magic come away with one or both of these players, it is pretty safe to say the Magic’s shooting needs are filled.

But there are a few other players to watch like UCF forward Taylor Hendricks (39.4 percent shooting from deep), Baylor’s Keyonte George (33.8 percent) and Michigan’s Jett Howard (36.8 percent).