The Orlando Magic head into the draft trying to break onto the scene after finishing 8th in the Eastern Conference back-to-back years. The draft has to be the first step in the right direction for them, and here’s how they can make it happen.
Players To Target
There are multiple players that the Magic should target with the 15th pick in the NBA Draft. For starters, they could snag Precious Achiuwa from Memphis. Or, maybe they go with Kira Lewis Jr. out of Alabama. Also, RJ Hampton is an option, and so is Cole Anthony if he drops to the 15th pick. Here’s the case for each of these four.
Target 1: Kira Lewis Jr. | School: Alabama
Kira Lewis is a young player with a lot of potential. He is only a sophomore, but he possesses leadership skills like no other player in this draft. Lewis lead Alabama in scoring with 18.5 points per game, and also 5.0 assists per game. Also, he was extremely accurate from the field, shooting a stellar 45% from the field, and 36% from beyond the arc. He can handle the ball well, and with that, he is a complete offensive player. He will need to work on his defense, but with a hard work ethic, that can be done.
Target 2: Precious Achiuwa. | School: Memphis
Precious is a strong candidate to be selected with the 15th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Listed as a Guard, he would fit in well as a power forward in the NBA. He is a defensive freak, and is a menace in the paint. Also, he averaged a double double last year, putting up 15.8 PPG, and snatching 10.8 RPG as well. Although, he will need to work on his offensive game if he really wants to excel at the next level. Well, luckily the Magic have an offensive threat in Nikola Vucevic, so he should learn in no time.
Target 3: Cole Anthony. School: North Carolina
Cole Anthony was regarded by some as the best high school basketball player in his class. But, he had an unfortunate injury in his one and only year with UNC. The Magic need a future point guard, and Markelle Fultz’s impending free agency next summer only increases the Magic’s urgency. Anthony, in short time with North Carolina, averaged 18.5 points per game, while dishing out four assists per game on average, and snagging a little under six assists per game. So, Cole Anthony can be a solution to the Magic’s point guard dilemma.
Target: RJ Hampton. | Overseas: New Zealand Breakers
RJ Hampton’s time overseas was not very beneficial by any means for him. LaMelo Ball excelled a lot more than Hampton did overseas, and that is why Ball is projected by some to go number one in the draft. But, don’t count out Hampton. Going away from home and trying to do your job as good as you can is not as easy as you might think. This being said, coming home to America could help him out exponentially. Hampton is a high risk, high reward type of prospect in many experts minds. I could not agree more. Hampton is a forward, and could help this team out very much. If Jonathan Isaac doesn’t come back the same, RJ Hampton will see increased court time. Even in Isaac’s absence due to a nasty left knee injury, Hampton could see an increased role in the rotation.
Second Round Targets
The Magic can target multiple players in the 2nd round with the 45th pick in the NBA Draft. A couple of guys they can target are Markus Howard, Paul Reed, or Kenyon Martin Jr.
Second Round Target 3: Markus Howard | School: Marquette
So, the Magic have options with this second round pick, but it depends who they pick with their first round pick. If the Magic go with either Precious Achiuwa or RJ Hampton, then they should consider taking Markus Howard. Howard, a point guard out of Chandler, Arizona, absolutely balled out at Marquette. Howard was named to the All Big East team three times in his career. In 2018-2019, he performed well enough to earn Big East Player of the Year honors. The two-time All American averaged 21.6 PPG, 3.1 APG, and 3.2 RPG in four years with the Golden Eagles. He would be a great second round steal if the Magic are presented with the opportunity to snag him.
Second Round Target 2: Kenyon Martin Jr. | School: IMG Academy
At last, high school players are allowed in the draft! One of the first high schoolers to be drafted in this new era will be Kenyon Martin Jr. And if you think the name is familiar, yes, he is related to Kenyon Martin. Martin had a long successful career in the NBA, spent mostly with the Denver Nuggets. His son is trying to one-up his father in the NBA. This could all start with the Magic. So, the Magic do not go out and get a forward in the first round, Kenyon Martin will probably be on the board when the Magic are on the clock with their second round pick. And if they take him, Martin Jr. is certainly going to get the approval of his pops.
Second Round Draft Target 3: Paul Reed. School: DePaul
Paul Reed burst onto the scene last year in the Big East with DePaul. He had quite the turnaround. How much of a turnaround. Well, Reed went from averaging about 12 points and eight boards in 2018-2019. Then, in the 2019-2020 campaign, Paul Reed averaged a stellar 15.1 points per game and 10.7 rebounds per game. Also, he was rewarded by being named to the 2019-2020 2nd All-Big East Team. He is a great defensive presence as well. He averaged 2.6 blocks per game in 2019-2020. So, he can do it on both ends. The Magic, who have tended to go with length in past drafts, might be inclined to take Reed for his 7’2 wingspan. Either way, he would be a great fit on the Orlando Magic.