No one would excuse any Orlando Magic fans for not paying so close attention to the NBA Draft.
It is widely considered a poor class, particularly at the top. So it is not a draft class that has taken up a lot of attention even among NBA fans. On top of this, many of the top prospects are not from the college game. The NCAA Tournament does not even really promise to showcase the top prospects one last time and build hype toward the NBA Draft.
All that has NBA fans a little less excited about the NCAA Tournament and the upcoming draft class.
Magic fans certainly are not paying close attention to the Draft either. For the first time in more than a decade, the Magic feel very little risk of landing in the Lottery this year. They have a fairly secure place in the top eight in the Eastern Conference. And while the Play-In Tournament is still a possibility, the Magic feel pretty good about their playoff positioning.
Throw in that No. 11 pick and rookie Jett Howard has spent most of the year with the Osceola Magic in the G-League and the Orlando Magic should have deeper playoff aspirations next year, a rookie may not be what the team needs.
Even if the Magic are not sold out on bringing another young player to the roster -- the team has plenty of cap room to chase after marquee players or absorb players in a trade and their draft pick (currently projected to land at No. 19 or 20) could easily be fodder for a trade.
Of course, there are still valuable players available in the Draft. And the team is in no position to pass up on any opportunity to add talented players, even if their priorities have shifted.
Orlando is having a successful season this year. There is no denying this. But the roster is certainly not yet complete. For the Magic to get where they ultimately want to go -- competing for a championship -- it will take plenty of internal growth, but also clearly some additions to the roster.
The Magic's needs are abundantly clear. They need shooting most of all and to shore up plenty of other parts of their roster.
As Friday's loss to the New York Knicks proved, the team is going to have to move up a level to compete in the Playoffs. Those games will reveal further where the cracks in the roster are and how they can overcome them.
That might be why it is more difficult to pinpoint exactly what the Magic need this offseason -- whether that is from free agency, trades or the draft -- and why the Magic may have opted to wait at the trade deadline to see how the team performed in the Playoffs.
The Draft feels like the afterthought in this process. But it is still important.
Since most of us are probably behind in our draft prep and the conference tournaments and NCAA Tournament will pick up this week, marking the end of the college basketball season and that phase of draft prep, it was time to play some catch-up.
I chatted with Locked on NBA Big Board's Richard Stayman last week to get an introduction to the draft class and talk about how the Magic should approach this year's draft.
He breaks down what the Magic need and their season so far and which prospects in the Draft will fit the Magic's eyes as the draft enters this final playing phase.
In this post, we will break down the names to know as conference tournaments begin and the NCAA Tournament comes up on the horizon. We will hit the Magic's needs and an update on their rookies in a future post.
This interview has been edited for clarity, context and updated stats.
Intro to the 2024 NBA Draft
The Class as a Whole
Philip Rossman-Reich, Orlando Magic Daily: Before we nail down specific names and talk about the Orlando Magic specifically, let's talk about this draft class as a whole.
Generally, I think the rap on this class is that it is not a great class. But from what I understand that opinion is merely because the top isn't great. How would you assess how this class is shaping up?
Richard Stayman, Locked On NBA Big Board: It's an underwhelming class. There's really no standout, alpha guy.
It's kind of weak throughout the top 15 or so. It's got some good depth because I think every draft at this point does. It's just the nature of basketball at this point.
It's a draft that Magic fans should be very thankful that the Magic are just good now. This is not a draft they have to worry about who they are taking, what they have to guess on, because right now No. 1 is a guess, No. 2 is a guess. You can't find many people with the same top player at the moment. And you also can't find people with the same seven players in the top 10.
It's a wild class at the moment.
Philip: Currently, the top prospects in the draft are Alex Sarr from France (playing in Australia) and G-League Ignite forward Matas Buzelis, who stood out for the G-League Ignite team in the Rising Stars Game. The Ignite also has Ron Holland who may get top-pick consideration. Among the other players in consideration for the top pick are France's Zaccharie Risacher or Serbia's Nikola Topic.
The top college prospects include Kentucky point guard Rob Dillingham and Colorado forward Cody Williams. But those looking to do draft prep in the NCAA Tournament will find that most of the top prospects in this year's Draft are not playing in college.
Obviously, the Magic aren't necessarily looking at some of those guys. It has been a while since the Magic drafted in the middle. How would you assess that range that the Magic aren't picking at if the top 15 guys aren't blowing people away?
Richard: One of two things is going to happen, they are going to have to reach for need. And, actually, not even reach because a lot of teams are going to do it so it's hard to say what is truly a reach. Or somebody who was considered a top 10-12 prospect is going to fall into their laps.
Ideally, that's what happens. Of course, you probably don't want it to be another guard at this point.
But if it's someone like Donovan Clingan, who I still think is top 10, I think he is somebody who could easily make a difference for this Magic team for example.
Philip: Donovan Clingan is a 7-foot-2 center for UConn averaging 12.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in 21.5 minutes per game as a sophomore. The Huskies are one of the favorites to win the NCAA Tournament. ESPN currently has him mocked at No. 11 on their latest mock draft.
Center is one of the Magic's needs for the upcoming offseason -- especially with Goga Bitadze's impending free agency. But Orlando may not know what it needs until it gets through the Playoffs. Need will likely be a bigger focus in this year's Draft.
Before we dive into specific prospects, how would you assess how the Magic should approach this Draft? When you are drafting sixth, even though the Magic felt like they were on the cusp of doing something more, the talent level is so high, that drafting the best player is still the right choice.
When you are drafting 15-18, that best player available changes because your pool of potential players grows. The deeper into the draft you go, the narrower the margins are between players. How much should the Magic's draft approach change now that they are picking in the middle rather than the Lottery?
Richard: There's a few ways to look at it. You could do a lottery ticket kind of guy. In this draft, it's not actually a terrible idea. Historically, if I'm not mistaken, in bad drafts the best players aren't always at the top. There's a chance you could find a hidden gem right there at 17.
But at the same time, they've got their alpha [Paolo Banchero]. They've got their second guy too in Franz [Wagner]. They have a lot of really good surrounding pieces. The hope is Anthony Black turns into that really good third. The hope is he comes into that top-three mix. You don't need that much.
Intro to the 2024 Draft Class
The Shooters to Watch
Richard Stayman, Locked on NBA Big Board: Ideally for me, just going into names right away, I'd go right after Dalton Knecht if he is still there. He's tearing up the SEC.
He probably won't be there. But if he is, he's a shooter, he can attack closeouts and can create a little bit. He's super smart. Beautiful shot, by the way. If you are trying to teach someone how to shoot, just show them Dalton Knecht's form. I'd think he'd fit perfectly right here.
Philip Rossman-Reich, Orlando Magic Daily: Dalton Knecht is certainly one of the players to keep an eye on for the Orlando Magic.
The Tennessee forward is averaging 21.4 points per game (his second straight season average 20-plus points per game) and shooting 40.5 percent from three in his first season with Tennessee after transferring from Northern Colorado. He is coming off a 40-point game on 6-for-15 shooting from three in a loss to Kentucky on Saturday. ESPN currently has him mocked to the Magic at No. 18.
Obviously, we've hinted at this. Knecht is one of the guys I think you have to have on the list. But who are the other big shooters in this draft? Because obviously, most Magic fans would recognize -- and perhaps they addressed that in the draft although they are not using him in Jett Howard -- shooting is still the biggest need for this team.
Who are the other shooters if we are going to be obsessed with that the Magic should be looking at in this draft class?
Richard: Right now it's so hard too based on where mock drafts have guys right now. I think the Combine in a couple of months will do a lot of help.
To me, I think some of the best guys in that range -- Jared McCain. But the problem with Jared McCain, though, before I dive into him and the next guy: He is 6-foot-3. He is ideal for what the Magic need on the wings but he is three inches short of what he needs to be.
There is also Bobi Klintman. He is 6-foot-10 and has really good upside as a shooter. I really like Tyler Smith of the G-League Ignite. I think Alex Karaban is somebody who could really rise. Kyshawn George over at Miami.
There are a lot of different names where it's like how do you project them now necessarily to where they are on mock drafts. Guys like Johnny Furphy, for example. He is probably going to be in the Lottery at this rate. The Magic are only a couple of picks removed from the Lottery, they might actually have a play at him.
He's one of those combo, high-upside, he can help right now almost a floor guy. If the Magic need shooting, It's going to be like this in every draft. There's depth across the board.
This is a draft they can look at and there is value that we can take away from here. We may not find a superstar. But do the Magic need that? Absolutely not.
Philip: There are definitely a lot of options on this front.
Duke's Jared McCain is listed as a 6-foot-3 point and is shooting 40.6 percent from three. But he does not run point for Duke, averaging just 1.8 assists per game. He is still one of the best shooters in the draft.
Bobi Klintman is playing for Cairns Taipans in Australia Tyler Smith is in the G-League Ignite. We will leave them for a later date.
To show how wide the range can be, Alex Karaban of UConn is currently projected as a second-rounder in ESPN's mock draft. He is averaging 14.2 points per game on 40.1 percent shooting from three -- and better than 80 percent from the foul line).
And Miami's Kyshawn George is averaging 7.8 points per game on 41.7-percent shooting from deep.
Johnny Furphy of Kansas is probably the biggest name to watch out of this group. The 6-foot-9 wing plays with a lot of energy and is averaging 9.0 points per game. He is a solid defender. But is the weakest shooter of this bunch at 36.4-percent shooting from deep.
Intro to the 2024 Draft Class
Team Size
Philip Rossman-Reich, Orlando Magic Daily: Obviously there are some shooting options, but also is there that perfect fit they are looking for.
The Orlando Magic tend to want size. It's the running joke in the league. Magic fans joke about it. I think a lot of media covering the league like to joke about it. The Magic love their length and love their size. Who is the all-Jeff Weltman team player in this draft who is the rangy forward with arms that are longer than humanly possible?
Richard Stayman, Locked on NBA Big Board: With the length, that's hwere it gets tough. I'm trying to think of who has like crazy wingspan and everything.
I can't remember if Ulrich Chomche (of the NBA Academy Showcase, currently projected as a second-round pick), I want to say he has a really good frame. He's 6-foot-11. He is someone who has long arms.
But sometimes that stuff can trick you. Because there are guys like Terquavion Smith because if they are skinny they can really trick you with long arms. I thought Terquavion Smith had super long arms, but he had a +3 wingspan. It's just that skin and bones that make you look a little bit longer.
I think if there is somebody who fits it, I don't know if his wingspan is that much, but I would go with Johnny Furphy. He is a 6-9 wing. And he checks every box for what they need. He's really intelligent, can shoot the ball. I like his game a lot. He has been one of the big risers out of Kansas.
Philip: NCAA Tournament is coming up and conference tournaments are coming up and obviously ther eare a lot of G-Leauge guys and international players.
But as the American basketball world at least turns to the NCAA Tournament and gets these last impression of these guys, who is someone who can make a big name for themselves in the NCAA tournament, maybe in the Magic's range but could either play themselves out of the Magic's range or into that middle group.
Who are you watching as we get closer to the end of the college basketball season?
Richard: There's several guys.
I think DaRon Holmes is somebody who is not necessarily what the ideal Magic player looks like. He is frontcourt depth. It's tough to say if he will truly play center.
But he is someone I would keep an eye on at Dayton. The Atlantic 10 is not super strong this year, if they make some noise in the tournament, I could see him being in that mix.
Trey Alexander at Creighton. I know the Magic do not need guards. But we talked about that length. He is 6-foot-4 with I want to say a 6-foot-10 wingspan. He is ridiculously long. He's a guard, can play multiple defensive positions, can shoot and play on and off the ball.
Dalton Knecht, I hate to go back to him. He's the big name. If he kind stinks in March, which is unbelievably unlikely, but also Tennessee, no disrespect to Tennessee, they have a history.
Those are a few guys. For the most part, in terms of what the magic need, Alex Karaban plays his way up to the first round. Otherwise they can also just take him in the second round if not.
Philip: DaRon Holmes has been a bedrock for a good Dayton team the last two years. He is averaging 20.2 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game -- up from 18.4 and 8.1 last year -- to lead Dayton into the top-25 and a sure spot in the NCAA Tournament.
He has even expanded his range this year, making 38.7 percent of his 2.5 3-point attempts per game. That is not his game, but that improvement is encouraging for the 6-foot-10 forward.
Trey Alexander at Creighton is averaging 17.5 points per game and 4.9 assists per game as he has taken on more offensive responsibility. His 3-point shooting has fallen off -- from 41.0 percent on 4.4 attempts per game as a sophomore to 32.1 percent on 5.3 attempts per game this year. But his 82.0 percent free throw percentage suggests that is more about attention and usage.
This is part one of our conversation -- you can of course listen to the whole thing now in the video above. We will be back soon to chat about how the Magic's development of Anthony Black and Jett Howard may change the approach to the draft and how they have played in their rookie seasons.