The NBA offseason began in earnest immediately after the NBA Finals ended. Teams could begin negotiating with their own free agents.
It has brought some expected results—Pascal Siakam returning to the Indiana Pacers and Scottie Barnes getting a max contract from the Toronto Raptors. It has brought some surprises—Malik Monk agreeing to a four-year deal to stay with the Sacramento Kings and OG Anunoby opting out of his deal and hitting the open market.
The offseason through really begins with the Draft. Nothing creates movement quite like deadlines. And now suddenly the offseason feels real with teams starting to tinker with their rosters in ways big and small.
President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said it himself, the draft is the first data point. The Orlando Magic may have plans for their free agency and the $30-$50 million in cap room they can spend in the next few weeks, but those plans may change drastically based on how things shake up on Draft night.
The right deal could come around and change the offseason's complexion completely. Draft night is a night where things start to happen and the contours of the summer take shape.
The Magic may not be making their pick for themselves, in other words. They could be exploring a lot of different things.
As the draft gets closer, it is important to think about all of these options and what can happen. Picking at No. 18 means the Magic are not getting the first pick in the Draft. It likely means the Magic are not looking for players to add to their starting lineup. At least not initially—they would be thrilled if that happens without injuries elsewhere on the roster.
We are now at the Draft. This first hurdle in the NBA's offseason. The league will begin to make this shift. And the Magic should be at the center of everything.
Now that it is draft day, it is time to make a final prediction over what will happen and update our mock draft from a few weeks ago. And begin to consider where and who the Magic might move with.
Eds. Note: Article was written and submitted on June 25 at 4:53 p.m. ET.
Orlando Magic Daily 2024 NBA Mock Draft 2.0
Uncertainty at the top
This draft class is getting a bad reputation and it is mostly because of the players at the top of the draft. There just is not a lot to get excited about and all the players at the top have a major flaw. That should be evident in me flipping which direction the Atlanta Hawks go at the top against who is No. 1 on my Big Board.
But this falls back to the familiar argument the Orlando Magic likely made when they took Paolo Banchero over Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. You need to pick the player most likely to be a star and with the skills of a star.
Maybe you have to squint to see Zaccharie Risacher as a star—and he certainly is not the prospect Paolo Banchero was—but Risacher has the perimeter skills and offensive instincts that Alex Sarr lacks right now.
What the Hawks do here is really a teaser for the rest of their offseason.
Orlando is not likely looking to move up to the top of this draft. There is no one at the top of this draft that would meaningfully boost the Magic's short-term or even long-term prospects. But keep an eye on Orlando as a candidate to get into Dejounte Murray or Trae Young trades. They might even be willing to take on Clint Capela to do it.
The Washington Wizards are a team that is in a bit of flux themselves. They could be involved in a few trades with Kyle Kuzma and Deni Avdija on the table to get moved to help the Wizards clear their books. For them it makes sense to swing big.
Alex Sarr is still my top prospect in this draft. He is an excellent defender and has a great fluidity as a 7-foot forward. Alex Sarr has reminded some people of Jonathan Isaac with his ranginess defensively.
Chances for a Magic Trade: Keep an ear open
I do not think the Orlando Magic would have much interest in taking on Deni Avdija in the first year of a four-year, $55 million extension (at least it is front-loaded). I do not think they have much interest in Kyle Kuzma either. Nor would they have interest in eating Landry Shamet's $11 million in non-guaranteed money that is likely turning loose to the market anyway.
The Magic are not looking to move up to No. 2 either and give up assets for anyone at the top of this draft.
The Houston Rockets essentially had the same season in 2024 that the Orlando Magic had in 2023. In other words, they were a young team that started slow but found something and clicked deep into the season, eventually becoming the last team eliminated from postseason contention.
The Rockets, like the Magic, hope this is their last time drafting this early in the Draft.
I am personally very high on Stephon Castle. He is the best guard prospect to me by a mile because of his dogged defense and his ability to use his physicality on offense to create space. He believes he can play point guard. So dropping him onto a team that values that versatility with multiple playmakers I think would ultimately help him get the most.
His defense would help a Rockets team that struggled carving a defensive identity but started seeing commitment on that end under Ime Udoka.
Chances for a Magic Trade: Not likely partners
The Orlando Magic are hunting more for veteran players it would seem. But I would argue that Stephon Castle is probably one of the few top players the Magic might push in for. He fills a lot of needs the Magic want. They just aren't upsetting the apple cart for him.
Teams in Transition
The task for the San Antonio Spurs should be a simple one: Find all the shooters they can to surround Victor Wembanyama. They may be in the same market for a veteran stabilizer at point guard (they would be a good spot for Tyus Jones). And so finding shooting will go a long way.
I will admit, that I do not love the fit of Reed Sheppard here. But he is far and away the best shooter at this spot without overlapping some of the other young players. And he is such a dynamic movement shooter that he would boost the Spurs almost immediately.
Chances for a Magic Trade: Maybe they find a shooter here
If the San Antonio Spurs draft a shooter like Reed Sheppard here, maybe that opens the door to a deal. Perhaps the Orlando Magic would have some interest in Devin Vassell, even though he is starting a major five-year, $135 million contract extension.
The Detroit Pistons are seemingly still refining what they want to be. Cade Cunningham is their clear centerpiece but nothing else has developed. And the new direction with a new front office has yet to crystallize. This will be their first big decision.
There is still something to salvage from the Pistons' hodgepodge of players if they can get clear coaching direction (they do not have that coach yet). I still like Jalen Duren as their long-term center option. So they should go with a scoring runningmate alongside Cade Cunningham and the defense from Ausar Thompson.
Matas Buzelis is a versatile wing with good scoring instincts. He still needs to improve his strength (as all rookies do). But exiting the chaos of this year's G-League Ignite for some organization with Cunningham will help and hopefully bring forward his versatility and talent.
Chances for a Magic Trade: Watch the centers
I have UConn big man Donovan Clingan pretty low in this mock draft (see below). If the Detroit Pistons opt to bring in the UConn big man, that means it might be free reign for their big men. There have been a few people pondering if Isaiah Stewart would be a good fit for the Orlando Magic (he would not). But if Jalen Duren somehow became available, there should be a big market for a center who is a solid rim protector and excellent on the offensive glass.
This should be considered Donovan Clingan's floor in the Draft (even with the Charlotte Hornets holding Mark Williams among their never-ending quest to draft a center). Donovan Clingan is an excellent defender and paint presence even if he is not the typical flying-all-over-the-place rim protector.
Donovan Clingan may project more like a traditional center, but teams saw how valuable that could be in the Playoffs with Derreck Lively. Especially running pick and rolls with LaMelo Ball, all Donovan Clingan would have to do is set solid screens and roll hard to the basket. He can do that and more.
Chances for a Magic Trade: Not likely
There is not much on the Charlotte Hornets' roster that fits what the Magic want. And most of the trades I would pitch in this range are fallouts from selections more than trying to trade up to get a pick or specific player.
Young And Restless
It is hard to get a sense of what the Portland Trail Blazers are looking for these days. They are likely shopping their two lead guards to give Scoot Henderson more chances to play. They are unlikely to be able to move their high-priced bigs in Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams and Jerami Grant.
The Blazers should be looking to add more top-end talent and build the core of their future as they begin to move off some of these stars. Their goal is not about immediate success or wins.
That is why I have them taking Cody Williams. He looks the most like a potential star among the players remaining in the draft. Injuries slowe dhis momentum toward the end of the year, but he has the size and the skills to be an attacker and scorer and someone to grow alongside Henderson.
Chances for a Magic Trade: Wait and See
Orlando Magic fans have had their eyes on Anfernee Simons for a long while. There are not a ton of point guards to look at around this pick. But the Blazers could easily pick someone like Rob Dillingham and hint toward a transition away from Simons or Malcolm Brogdon. The Magic are not moving up for this pick, but they should be looking to help the Blazers get under the tax through a trade.
Continuing the theme from the San Antonio Spurs' first pick, shooting should be their main concern surrounding Victor Wembanyama. Adding Reed Sheppard and Dalton Knecht would be considered a home run fro them.
Knecht is a four-year player who improved as he climbed the ladder from small school to the SEC last year at Tennessee. That he carried over his scoring average from Northern Colorado to be one of the best shooters in the SEC is a testament to his talent. He should be able to step in and hit from three pretty quickly.
Zach Edey may be one of the more divisive prospects in this year's Draft. You either believe in his size and the growth he made in his final year at Purdue can lift him to becoming a quality rotation player or that he benefitted too much from his size and overpowering smaller college players.
The consensus seems to be leaning toward not overthinking things and trusting that his numbers will translate in some fashion. His size is just impossible to ignore.
The Memphis Grizzlies like to play two bigs together and adding a player with this pick who can immediately impact games would be valauble for them.
Chances for a Magic Trade: Not likely
Both the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies are likely looking more for veterans to help them win immediately. I do not have the Magic interested in Edey (although I think Memphis would be interested in Wendell Carter). The trade-up option in this range is Dalton Knecht, the injured Nikola Topic or perhaps Tidjane Salaun. Although maybe they like Kel'el Ware enough to grab him earlier than most would expect.
Seeking Help
The Utah Jazz are like the Orlando Magic. They like versatility and have some unique players they are working with.
That is why they would be the kind of team to chase after Providence guard Devin Carter. Carter is a small guard with a big wing span and someone who can play on the ball and off the ball. That is why he became a quick riser. He is someone who fits the Magic's liking too for that size and length.
Chances for a Magic Trade: Depends on what the Jazz are after
The Utah Jazz are the toughest team in the league to figure out. They have exceeded expectations but no one considers them a serious playoff threat. And they always seem eager to move.
The Jazz likely want young assets for any of their key players. But you could see the Magic putting in an offer for Collin Sexton involving their own draft pick. Maybe even for John Collins if they want to go super versatile with their center position (although I would not advise that).
In the Chicago Bulls' perpetual chase for the 8-seed in the Eastern Conference, they are seemingly leaning into the versatility bent that everyone else. Their move to acquire Josh Giddey gave them a big playmaker to help anchor their offense and set Coby White up for success off the ball.
Finding another high-IQ forward like Tristan Da Silva makes a lot of sense for them. Especially considering he could play pretty quickly and help the Bulls stay relevant regardless of what they do with Zach LaVine or DeMar DeRozan.
Chances For A Magic Trade: Why would the Bulls pick up the phone?
I am confused by any trade between the Orlando Magic and the Chicago Bulls. Why would Arturas Karsinovas pick up the phone when Jeff Weltman is on caller ID after what he did in 2021?
Yet, everyone around the league seems to believe Zach LaVine would solve a lot of problems for the Magic. Maybe the Magic could help the Bulls solve some problems by giving them some free depth and an extra pick back. It does not seem like the right move.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are knocking on the door of competing for a title. Like the Orlando Magic though, they are very invested in their young players' development and doing things their own way. They are not a team that just uses cap room on somebody. Everything has a purpose.
They have often used their draft picks on players like Tidjane Salaun. He is a high upside swing who needs some time to gather his skills. But he has some good playmaking and driving for a player of his size. Whether he can translate that to the NBA and shoot is the big question.
Chances for a Magic Trade: Not with this team
If the Orlando Magic are looking to move up in the draft, this is about the range they would like to move into Tidjane Salaun is a player that fits the Magic's eye in a lot of ways. But the Oklahoma City Thunder are likely chasing a lot of the same players. The Magic and Thunder both have cap room and seem to have similar philosophies.
In range for the Orlando Magic
The last year of the G-League Ignite experiment did not go as planned. But it was still a talented bunch. And Ron Holland may end up being the most talented and best player of the bunch.
Holland is the typical wing scorer. He can create and finish around the basket pretty well. He just has to refine his decisionmaking and his game outside of his scoring and going downhill. With the Kings likely looking to make some changes, he could be another high-level scorer to add to their already potent offense.
Chances for a Magic Trade: Not At This Time
Everyone suspects the Sacramento Kings are not done dealing with Harrison Barnes as a potential player on the move. The Kings know they need to make some major steps after falling short last year. The Magic are not a team looking for a player like Barnes.
Ron Holland too is not a player the Magic should target. They need some extra scoring, but his poor decisionmaking and spotty shooting is not what the Magic are looking for.
The Portland Trail Blazers at some point are going to move off of their two centers. They are going to focus on their young players at some point and build a new team -- that is hopefully under the tax.
Kel'el Ware is an interesting prospect. He is an excellent scorer around the basket and rebounder. He can protect the rim a little bit. The questions for him come from his motor and activity. That was a struggle for him in his freshman year at Oregon and dissipated at Indiana.
The Miami Heat know the kind of players they like. They want tough-minded players who will defend and be versatile. They need players who will fill mulitple roles.
That is where Ja'Kobe Walter fits in. He is the best 3-and-D player in this draft. While he is a bit undersized for a two, eh will compete on that end -- a requirement in Scott Drew's system at Baylor. Walter's size may prevent him from being a great attacker. But he will go to a team that has established scorers, that should help him refine his role.
Chances for a Magic Trade: Rivals don't talk, but maybe they should
The Miami Heat seem open for business after a second straight year as the 8-seed. Jimmy Butler might even be on the table. For a Heat team looking to cut some payroll, there is the chance to make something happen.
The Orlando Magic may not be able to trade up to this spot -- and ensure they get their guy. But it would not be so surprising to think the Magic could get in on Tyler Herro if he became available. Herro's salary would be scary, and likely eat into the Magic's cap room, but there is some structure there to make a deal.
Prelude to a Pick
Jared McCain is one of the best point guards in this draft. He is an excellent shooter and knows how to get himself into the lane and create some havoc. McCain does not have a ton of athleticism or a particularly quick first step, but he knows how to create space to get his shot off. And he will thrive in an offense that has another anchor helping create space for him.
McCain to me is someone who should be able to contribute quickly with his shooting and basketball smarts. He knows his limitations and works well around them.
Chances for a Magic Trade: What's there to trade?
Jared McCain should be a trade up option for the Orlando Magic. The only box he does not check off for them is his size.
The problem with the Philadelphia 76ers is they have no one to trade right now. So making a deal with them is very tough.
Baylor Scheierman is quietly one of the best shooters in the draft, having made 38.1 percent of his 8.3 3-point attempts per game and 39.0 percent in his five-year career with South Dakota State and Creighton. With J.J. Redick as the head coach now, everyone is expecting him to emphasize shooting and spacing in a way the Lakers have not in the last few years.
Scheierman's biggest drawback is his defense. Creighton often had to hide him. That could be a problem for him in the pros and why he is at the end of the first round. But shooting is just so valuable around the league.
The Orlando Magic's Pick
It seems highly unlikely Nikola Topic will make it to this point of the draft. How would a player who was a consensus top-five pick throughout much of the year fall to the Orlando Magic at No. 18? Would that even be something that could happen?
Well, a torn ACL changes everything. Suddenly the player is no longer available for his rookie year and there are questions about his recovery. That is what happens when there is an injury.
And maybe the Magic should be skeptical of players ACL injuries in particular after Chuma Okeke struggled to recover after the Magic made him the 16th pick in the 2019 and then Markelle Fultz and Jonathan isaac needed time to get back from their respective knee injuries.
But there is also denying that this is an opportunity to add talent to the roster. That should be of paramount importance for the team. And Topic would be adding a Lottery-level talent well after the Lottery ends.
Topic is a 6-foot-6 point guard. He averaged 18.4 points and 7.4 assists per game for Mega last year in their domestic league. He still needs to improve as a shooter, but he checks all the boxes for the Magic everywhere else.
It is hard to imagine the Magic passing up on Topic if he is available. And, yes, the Magic hired his father as a scout.
If the Orlando Magic don't take Nikola Topic:
Johnny Furphy, Kansas: Johnny Furphy has become the favorite prospect for the Orlando Magic in most mock drafts. As a wing, he checks all the boxes as big player who can defend multiple positions. He has a good basketball IQ and understands when to cut and get to the basket.
Carlton Carrington, Pitt: Carlton Carrington has become a favorite prospect for the Orlando Magic now too. He is a 6-foot-4 guard with good scoring instincts, who averaged 13.8 points and 4.1 assists per game. He shot only 32.2 percent from three but a lot of people think he will shoot better in catch-and-shoot situations off the ball.
Yves Missi, Baylor: Yves Missi is one of the best shot blockers in the draft. He has good instincts to chase blocks. He just will have to gain discipline as a defender and in defensive schemes that is typical of young players.
The Aftermath
Yves Missis is one of the best shot blockers in the Draft, blocking 1.5 shots per game. He should translate as such in the NBA. He fits the bill for the kind of centers who do well in the league as a rim-runner and rim-protector. It will just be the rest of his game that has to round into form. That should come in time.
Johnny Furphy is someone who checks the boxes for the Orlando Magic with his size at the guard spot. He cuts well and is an improving jump shooter. Furphy did not measure well at the Combine though and that coudl be a detriment to him. But for this stage of the Draft, he will help a team that picks him.
Jaylon Tyson is one of the best scorers in the Draft at 19.6 points per game last year at California. He bounced around after struggling with coaches in his first two years (the coach that recruited him left before his freshman year and then he struggled after transferring for his sophomore year). There is no denying the scoring chops though. Someone to keep an eye on.
Carlton Carrington came on strong at the end of the season and had a good showing in the ACC Tournament to cement his place in the first round. He is big for a point guard and that is good for a lot of teams. For a team like the Phoenix Suns, his potential as a spot-up shooter is big. They need a point guard and playmaker.
Ryan Dunn is considered one of the best defenders in the NBA Draft. Dunn averaged only 8.1 points per game last year. He is not much of a shooter either (from the foul line or the 3-point line). But his defense is the attractor. That makes him someone who can help a winning team.
The Rest of the First Round
The New York Knicks made the biggest splash of the Draft so far in trading for Mikal Bridges. That could possibly set them up to retain their free agents too. They may still lose Isaiah Hartenstein and so adding some center depth with a skilled big man like Kyle Filipowski makes a ton of sense.
Terrence Shannon Jr. was off a lot of draft boards because of a sexual assault case that hung over his head. He was acquitted, which seems to have released him from some questions. Some teams may still be shy about drafting him.
But there is no doubt he is a talented player. He averaged 23.0 points per game last year at Illinois along with 47.5 percent shooting and 36.2 percent shooting from three. His talent is clear. And that is going to get him his NBA look.
Isaiah Collier was once considered one of the top point guard prospects in the Draft. He has good size and can get downhill to the basket. He averaged 16.3 points and 4.3 assists per game. But he struggled a ton as a shooter -- 49.0 percent overall and 33.8 percent from three. He turned it over a lot too. There is still work to do.
Kyshawn George is one of the most interesting prospects in this Draft. He is still pretty young and new to basketball. But he has great size and an already strong shot. That should help him hit the ground running as he picks up more skills in the NBA.
DaRon Holmes is a bit undersized for a center. But he is a workhorse. He was an excellent rebounder at the college level and progressively improved his shooting to move away from the basket. But Holmes will gather boards and score around the basket. Even if he will not develop as a starting center.
Pacome Dadiet is still figuring out how to play basketball. But he is picking it up quickly. Dadiet is an athletic and big wing player. His shot still has some ways to go. But it started picking up toward the end of the season. He could be someone to watch even for the Orlando Magic at No. 18.
Cameron Christie averaged 11.3 points per game and shot 39.1 percent from three on 5.4 attempts per game. He hit 79.1 percent of his free throws. He is considered a solid shooter and that is the skill that scouts think he would add to a team. Going to a championship team like the Boston Celtics would be a good place to emphasize it.