It is never too early to look at the NBA draft. For the Orlando Magic, the 2024 season has been a success as they recently earned at least a play-in spot in the playoffs this season, meaning they have taken the next step toward becoming a contender for an NBA title.
Everyone is focused on the push to the Playoffs. There has been little attention paid to the draft for the first time in several years for this franchise.
But that does not mean the team can ignore the draft. Any opportunity to add talent is one the team cannot pass.
Draft talk is heating up with March Madness now happening in college basketball. That is when a lot of NBA fans start doing their crash course on the upcoming draft class.
But this year's class is unique. Most of the top prospects will not be playing in the high-profile games of the NCAA Tournament. Most of those are because the top prospects are players like France's Zaccharie Risacher or Alex Sarr.
There are also a good crop of players for the G-League Ignite's final year and plenty of prospects who did not reach the NCAA Tournament.
Many prospects will be on display in the Tournament, but there are plenty who will not be in the Big Dance who still need the attention and analysis of NBA scouts across the league, including those in Orlando.
The Magic may not be in such dire need for a rookie. But they need to put their attention on the Draft still and make sure they add talent to the roster. Even if this is not the strongest draft class.
While everyone is watching the NCAA Tournament, here are the prospects Magic fans should know who will not be playing in March Madness.
5 Draft prospects Orlando Magic fans won't see in March Madness
Kel'el Ware, Indiana
Kel'el Ware is a sophomore center from Indiana who can help the Orlando Magic find an all-around center to work with. At 7-feet, 223 pounds, he brings a towering frame to teams that are looking into him.
His offensive work sticks out the most as he averaged 15.9 points per game and 9.9 rebounds per game.
He made 10.7 field goals per game while shooting at a 58.6 percent rate. He also has a promising-looking three-point shot with a 42.5 percent shooting mark. Granted, he takes only 1.5 attempts per game.
But if the Magic continue to find their long-range shooting from other players, it may just be an added bonus to what Ware could bring. He was also in double figures in 24 games this season.
A 7-footer needs to be an efficient rebounder and Ware fits the bill. He averages 9.9 boards per game and had double-digit rebounds in 16 games this season. He is the second-best rebounder in the Big 10 behind 7-footer Zach Edey.
Defensively, he is also an avid shot blocker with at least a block in every game except four this season. Ware is a big-time presence down low that gives Orlando a playmaker at the center spot, a position group that has gone through much tribulation this season.
Ware is currently mocked to go in the late-first or early second round and could be an option for the Magic if they are looking to use the draft to shore up the center position.
5 Draft prospects Orlando Magic fans won't see in March Madness
Tyler Smith, G-League Ignite
Tyler Smith is a 6-foot-11 big-time scorer from the G-League Ignite.
Despite him not getting a chance to play in March Madness, he has put skills on display that make him a first-round selection. His true shooting percentage is eye candy as it sits at 61.2 percent with his field goal percentage at 47.6 percent and three-point percentage at 36.4 percent.
He takes a lot of shots from all areas of the floor too averaging 10.3 field goals and 3.7 three-pointers in each game. He can turn it up a notch and score against defenders when in isolation scenarios.
His scoring ability is something the Magic could use for a spark off of the bench when their current wing players, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, need time to rest. With his size and ability to play inside and out, he fits the overall philosophy the team has for versatility.
At 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he fits the ideal for the modern NBA big. He just may need some time to refine his skills after his year int he G-League Ignite system. But Smith is someone who has plenty of value to develop, especially for someone projected to go in the 20s in this draft.
The scoring value out of Smith with his frame is something that fits the modern NBA and can really give Orlando another bucket-getting threat other teams would have to worry about.
5 Draft prospects Orlando Magic fans won't see in March Madness
Bobi Klintman, Cairns Taipans (Australia)
Bobi Klintman has a similar frame to Tyler Smith at 6-foot-10 tall and 225 pounds. He has a sneaky good ability to get to the line often averaging 4.8 free throw attempts per game and shooting them at an 81.3 percent mark in the NBL in Australia.
This fits the Orlando Magic's reputation for being one of the best teams in the NBA at getting to the line often to keep the game at their tempo and get offense from there. They love the athletic players like Klintman who can showcase versatile skills with size.
Klintman also has good active hands for a player as tall as he is. He gets 1.7 steals per 36 minutes and that kind of defense can also make him a valued member for a Magic team known for top-notch defense.
He is also not afraid to take the three-pointer either, averaging 3.5 attempts per game. If Orlando can get an effective long-range shooter with the kind of size Klintman has, it would be a big weapon.
He has a lot of intangibles that many of the Magic players have with free throw shooting and defense and on top of that, he could be one to open up the team's three-point shooting.
Klintman should go shortly after the Lottery -- the Magic currently hold the 21st pick -- and that puts him right in the range for the magic to pick him. He is young and still prone to wild swings -- that is how his season has gone in Australia. But the talent is pretty evident.
5 Draft prospects Orlando Magic fans won't see in March Madness
Ulrich Chomche, NBA Academy Africa
Ulrich Chomche is a prospect from the NBA Acadmey in Africa from Cameroon who can play the center spot for the Orlando Magic. He is 6-foot-11 and 234 pounds.
What makes him highly intriguing for the Magic is his defensive ability that highlights his game as a low post protector. He averages 2.7 blocks and 1.3 steals per game with a defensive rating of 75.9 for the academy team.
A defensive center is something the Magic have needed during this season. Chomche could be a big fill for that need.
Although the scoring production does not stand off of the page, Chomche is not scared to take a shot from anywhere. He averages 11 field goal attempts and seven three-point attempts per game as well.
This shows that this part of his game is something Orlando can develop over time, especially with the center depth they already have.
But he is still very raw on both ends. He is currently projected as a second-round pick. And Chomche should be considered as such. He may need some time in the G-League to catch up fully to the NBA level of play.
But the Magic could gain a big defensive piece at the center spot to really help low post protection. Talent is talent in the end.
5 Draft prospects Orlando Magic fans won't see in March Madness
Kyshawn George, Miami
The Miami Hurricanes are not in the NCAA Tournament, but Kyshawn George is certainly an interesting guard prospect for this upcoming NBA Draft. He is being projected right around a late first-round selection.
What sticks out with George is how effective of a three-point shooter he is.
His season percentage sat at 40.8 percent while shooting 4.2 attempts per game. That total rises among his average per 36 minutes to 6.6 attempts. He averaged 7.6 points per game but was a big-time shooter and floor spacer for the Hurricanes.
The Orlando guard room has been figuring out shooting. But if the Magic do, in fact, end up with a later first-round pick because they climbed the standings, they could use it on him to replace aging shooters Joe Ingles and Gary Harris if needed.
The defensive presence is not as big as it could be with George, especially considering he is 6-foot-8, meaning he can get active in shooters' faces and passing lanes. But, the three-point shooting itself stands out a lot. He was one of the best shooters from long-range in the ACC this season.