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5 2023 NBA Draft prospects to know for the Orlando Magic’s No. 6 pick

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Gradey Dick (4) dribbles the ball against Howard Bison guard Elijah Hawkins (3) during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Gradey Dick (4) dribbles the ball against Howard Bison guard Elijah Hawkins (3) during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 18: Gradey Dick #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 18, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 18: Gradey Dick #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 18, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

5 NBA Draft prospects to know for the Orlando Magic’s 6th pick

Gradey Dick, Kansas

Quite simply, the Orlando Magic need shooting. That is their biggest need and perhaps their biggest mission this offseason.

In a league that is so reliant on 3-point shooting, adding players who can space the floor and give their young forwards in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner space to attack is vital. Having someone who can hit three or four 3-pointers in a game to warp defenses and help the team score more consistently is so vital.

The Magic have not had an offense that finished outside the bottom 10 in offensive rating since Dwight Howard left. And it is no coincidence that this departure seemed to be when the team de-emphasized shooting in its draft picks and free-agent acquisitions.

If Orlando is serious about making next season a playoff season, then the team needs to find shooter.

So like last year’s draft with the number one pick in trying to draft a star player, maybe the Magic should not complicate things. Maybe they should just take the best shooter available. And at the No. 6 pick, that might mean taking the best shooter in the entire draft.

The consensus on that front is Kansas guard Gradey Dick.

Dick averaged 14.1 points per game with shooting splits of 44.2/40.3/85.4. The better-than-40-percent 3-point shooting certainly is enough to get the Magic’s attention. And certainly having that confirmed with his strong free-throw shooting suggests how good he can be from deep.

Watching Dick’s tape shows he can shoot on the move. He was solid making side-step threes when opponents closed out on him hard. And he can shoot from deep.

Defenses were trying hard to stop him and he still found ways to hit from deep against them.

For the Magic, what is equally important is that he hit that high percentage on 5.7 3-point attempts per game. Orlando certainly needs a high-volume 3-point shooter. Dick still might have some work to get there.

His limitations are that he is not going to do much than shoot. He is a better defender than many would expect. But he is not about to be a team’s defensive stopper. And offensively, his game is still very limited to his shooting.

But that is all the Magic want and need. Even if this is a low-upside pick, Dick is someone who would fit in well with Orlando.