Orlando Magic Daily Big Board 3.0: Clarifying the Orlando Magic’s goals

OMD Big Board 3.0: Clarifying the Orlando Magic’s goals

The Next Star Tier

Ausar Thompson and Amen Thompson are very similar players — and not just because they are twins with essentially the exact same measurements. Ausar likes to attack the basket like his brother. He is athletic like his brother. His shot needs work like his brother’s.

But there are key differences. And those differences could determine whether one comes to the front or not.

Amen Thompson is the better finisher and perhaps the more dynamic offensive player. He is the kind of player teams can build teams around with his playmaking and driving at his size.

That is not to say Ausar cannot do that. Amen was the point guard of their team at OTE so Ausar was not on the ball as much. Ausar can certainly pass the ball and distribute too.

Because Amen was the one with the ball, Ausar got to show off his slashing and cutting ability. He finishes well at the rim when he is cutting — although his ability to finish through contact is still a major question mark. Ausar still racked up plenty of assists.

The biggest difference and the biggest reason why Ausar might end up being a “safer” pick is because Ausar has already shown a willingness to defend. There are a lot of scouts who think Ausar Thompson can become an elite defender. And that helps him carve a clearer role.

But that is also the larger point on why the Magic probably need to ensure one more bite at this apple. Ausar Thompson has upside to be so much more.

That is why the team probably cannot pass up Cam Whitmore at the sixth pick too — or at least pick him or one of the above six and move them for more assets.

The Orlando Magic do not need a star at this point. They want the ball with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner and they are still invested enough in Markelle Fultz. They do not need ball-dominant players. Instead, what the Magic are looking for are players who can move the ball. They need versatility.

But drafting this high in the draft, they also cannot and should not pass up talent. Talent still has to matter for this team. And adding talented players with higher upside is important. The Magic should not pass up on talent just because the fit is not perfect.

Orlando should take one of these six players.

Whitmore remains the player that I am personally lowest on though.

Orlando likes players who are multi-positional and multi-skilled. They want their bigs to be able to pass and kick as much as their guards. That is perhaps Whitmore’s biggest weakness. He had an assist rate as a primary driver and scorer lower than 10 percent.

Maybe that is a product of his team — like his poor 3-point percentage is a product of his being on the ball a lot. But that along with a 70-percent free throw percentage is a bit of a red flag.

Whitmore is a great athlete though. And he is big. He should be able to guard up a position and be physical. Considering he shot well on his few catch-and-shoot opportunities, he may just need the right role to thrive and his pinballing-driving nature will work well within a fuller team context.

The Magic certainly could use that kind of physicality especially if getting to the line will be a key part of their offensive identity and strategy.

At the end of the day, the star upside and scoring upside are too much to pass on.