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Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Draft Big Board 2.0: A focus on the Orlando Magic’s needs

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jeremiah Davenport (24) draws a charge foul against UCF Knights forward Taylor Hendricks (25) in the first half of a college basketball game between the UCF Knights and the Cincinnati Bearcats, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati.Ucf Knights At Cincinnati Bearcats Feb 4 0123
Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jeremiah Davenport (24) draws a charge foul against UCF Knights forward Taylor Hendricks (25) in the first half of a college basketball game between the UCF Knights and the Cincinnati Bearcats, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati.Ucf Knights At Cincinnati Bearcats Feb 4 0123 /
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Kobe Bufkin, Michigan Wolverines
Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin (2) dribbles against Toledo guard Ra’Heim Moss (0) during the first half of the first round of the NIT at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. /

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Draft Big Board 2.0

Tier 6: Filling Out The Board

Kobe Bufkin. 16. player. 485. . . Previous:

The Orlando Magic feel pretty set at point guard with Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony. But the team has to at least be thinking a little bit about what happens if they cannot retain Anthony with an extension this summer or in restricted free agency next summer. A third point guard is not the worst idea.

Kobe Bufkin is a good fit for this team. Although he may not possess the higher defensive skills of Cason Wallace, Kobe Bufkin can hold his own there. On top of this, he shot 35.5 percent from three and 84.9 percent from the line, showing significant improvements on both ends.

Previous: . GG Jackson. 17. player. 533. .

A look at GG Jackson’s statistical profile will give the impression that he is an energy wing, someone who is not going to contribute a ton offensively but be a springboard and multi-position defender on the other end.

That is an incomplete picture. Jackson is a good ball handler for a player his size — 6-foot-9 — but it is just about learning shot selection. Some of his poor shooting and shots are a product of having to be the best player on his team at the collegiate level. Seeing him in a more fitted role will help. Even if he may still struggle to shoot.

It would not be an Orlando Magic draft article without talking about wingspans. Rayan Rupert missed two months this season with a wrist fracture. But his 7-foot-3 wingspan for a 6-foot-7 guard is something that will surely have the Magic paying attention.

He played in the NBL last year. But he is still an extremely raw prospect. But wingspan, so you know.

Previous: . Dereck Lively II. 19. player. 434. .

There are not a lot of centers available in this draft. That is a sure sign the Orlando Magic are going to be hunting in free agency for a backup center. A veteran backup center is probably the right choice — even if that means bringing back both Moe Wagner and Goga Bitdze (I do not think that will get the job done for what this team needs to do).

The Magic should absolutely do their homework on Dereck Lively, the top traditional center on this draft board. He is a tough rebounder and a fairly athletic big who was able to pair with fellow center Kyle Filipowski for Duke. He was one of the top prospects in his high school class and just struggled to find his footing in the ACC. But he still had enough big games to warrant a look.

Jalen Hood-Schofino. 20. player. 482. . . Previous:

Jalen Hood-Schofinio is good at a lot of things. But he is not great at any one thing. And that might be part of his undoing. He is just not fantastic enough to have a clear role. Is he a point guard? Those skills are not well enough developed to believe he can be a starter. Is he an off-guard? Not quite. His shooting is not impressive enough to get there.

The talent is there to develop. But he is going to be a project.

. Previous: . Jett Howard. 21. player. 485.

Jett Howard is one of the best shooters in this class. But his numbers with Michigan were very up and down. There are questions about his efficiency and whether the shot will translate to the NBA.

Next. 3 dream scenarios for the Orlando Magic on draft night. dark

We will be back with a fresh mock draft shortly after the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday. We may update this Big Board after the NBA publishes its Combine measurements because, well, wingspan.