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5 2023 NBA Draft prospects to know for the Orlando Magic’s No. 11 pick

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 3, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Anthony Black (0) looks to pass in the first half as San Jose State Spartans guard Omari Moore (10) defends at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Anthony Black (0) looks to pass in the first half as San Jose State Spartans guard Omari Moore (10) defends at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-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 /

5 NBA Draft prospects to know for the Orlando Magic’s 11th pick

Jordan Hawkins, UConn

Everyone surrounding the Orlando Magic knows what the team’s biggest need is: Shooting.

It feels like every player the Magic seek to acquire this offseason — save for backup center perhaps — is going to need to be able to shoot effectively. Orlando needs shooting.

It is one of the reasons the Magic could very well take Kansas sharpshooter Gradey Dick with the sixth overall pick even if that feels like a bit of a reach. The Magic should not ignore shooting at any part of their offseason.

That is why Jordan Hawkins should be the priority at No. 11. I am honestly willing to close down the discussion on any other prospects. Hawkins fits everything the Magic are looking for from a shooter and would leave them open to taking higher upside players at No. 6 if they are confident he will be there at 11.

Hawkins averaged 16.2 points per game for UConn in their national championship season. The attraction with him is that he is a pure volume 3-point shooter and efficient to boot. He led the nation with 109 3-point makes, making 38.8 percent of his 3-pointers on 7.6 attempts per game.

As the Magic try to make the 3-point math work in their favor, they need someone who is going to take 6-7 threes per game. That is what Hawkins can do.

And UConn runs a very NBA-based offense. He can shoot on the move and hit from deep in spot-ups. And his free throw percentage — 88.7 percent (and 82.1 percent his freshman year when he played significantly less) — suggests the shooting will translate.

So why is he falling to 11? Some of it is his size. He measured at 6-foot-4.25 with a 6-foot-6.75 wingspan.

He was a sound defender at the collegiate level. But the size and speed of the NBA is definitely a question he will have to answer.

But from a pure shooter perspective, Hawkins is the guy the Magic should be targeting if they want to keep the 11th pick. He can deliver that role for this team in a way Orlando desperately needs.