As a result of building one of the NBA’s youngest rosters, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Orlando Magic are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA. With an average age of 24 years old and 13 of their 17 players at 25 years old or younger, defense isn’t one of the Magic’s strong suits. During the 2021-2022 NBA regular season, the Magic allowed 112.2 PPG (20th in NBA) while allowing their opponents to shoot 45.8% from the field (14th in NBA) and 36.3% from three-point range (24th in NBA). While these statistics may not be quite concerning, it is a major drop-off from previous seasons. During the 2019-2020 season, Orlando’s final season before trading franchise cornerstones Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Evan Fournier, Orlando fielded one of the NBA’s better defenses, allowing 108.3 PPG (Fifth in NBA), 46.5% from the field (18th in NBA) and 36.4% from three-point range (23rd in NBA).
With this said, hindsight is always 20/20, and the youth revolution in Orlando has certainly made defense a struggle, even with the head coaching hire of longtime Dallas Assistant Jamahl Mosley. In addition to the aforementioned defensive stats from this season, Orlando averaged 36.8 DRPG (29th in NBA), 8.0 SPG (23rd in NBA), and 5.2 BPG (27th in NBA), all among the NBA’s worst. Fortunately for Orlando, the 2022 NBA Draft doesn’t have a shortage of defensive-minded players, especially at the top of the draft. After winning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Duke’s Paolo Banchero, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, and Auburn’s Jabari Smith are all fantastic options, but one prospect stands above the rest if Orlando decides to completely revamp their struggling defense.
Round 1, Pick 1: PF/C Paolo Banchero, University of Duke
New mock draft, same result. With the first overall pick, Orlando doesn’t overthink their major decision and selects Banchero, who is one of the NBA’s most-ready draft prospects. At 19 years old, Banchero did a little bit of everything for Duke this past season, averaging a team-high 17.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 3.2 APG, while shooting 47.8% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range. In Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final season, Banchero was the main cog that propelled Duke to their 17th Final Four Appearance. As of now, Orlando could certainly use a dominant two-way forward that can score at all three levels of the floor like Banchero. Banchero would slot comfortably alongside 2021 first-round pick Franz Wagner and ascending star Wendell Carter Jr. in the frontcourt. In addition, Banchero would take some pressure off Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs about the ball-handling abilities.
Round 2, Pick 32: PF/C Christian Koloko, University of Arizona
While it may seem outlandish, Orlando could certainly find itself in the market for a new big man. As it currently stands, Orlando’s Mo Bamba and Robin Lopez are both set to hit free agency this summer, and Jonathan Isaac is still recovering from the ACL tear that he suffered over two years ago. If the Magic fail to address this possible need in free agency and in the first round of the draft, then Arizona’s Koloko could be a sneaky draft selection in the second round. Standing at 7’1″ and 230 pounds, Koloko was tough to defend in the paint, as the three-year Wildcat averaged 12.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 1.4 APG. Koloko’s impact on Arizona’s offense can’t be understated enough, as he had the second-most rebounds (270) and offensive rebounds (95) in the PAC-12, while leading the conference in true shooting percentage (66.1%) and offensive rating (127.3).
Shockingly, Koloko was even better at defending the paint rather than attacking it, as he totaled 102 blocks and averaged 2.8 BPG, both of which were the best in the PAC-12. As a result of this, Koloko ended the season as the PAC-12’s Most Improved and Defensive Player of the Year Award Winner, along with being selected to the All Pac-12 first team and All-Defense team. Koloko’s monumental season was pivotal for Arizona as well, as the Wildcats won the PAC-12 regular season and postseason tournament en route to a No. 1 seed in March Madness. Of course, Koloko does have evident flaws in his game, with none greater than his lack of discipline on defense. Sure, Koloko is a great shot-blocker, but commits much more fouls than he needs to, as is obvious with the 103 total personal fouls he committed last season. Koloko also needs to work on his ability to score outside of the paint and from the perimeter, as he didn’t make a single three-pointer throughout his collegiate tenure.
Round 2, Pick 35: PG/SF Trevor Keels, University of Duke
In the age of positionless basketball, Keels can handle a number of different positions and roles based on his size and intangibles. Standing at 6’5″ and 221 pounds, Keels used his unique size to have a physical and imposing playstyle that allows him to attack the basket with ease. In 36 games with Duke, Keels averaged 11.5 PPG and 3.4 RPG while shooting 41.9% from the field and 52.2% on two-point attempts. Keels also has experience running the point at Duke, where he had 98 total assists and averaged 2.7 APG. While playing the role of a facilitating guard, Keels didn’t have trouble with committing turnovers or personal fouls, as he averaged just 1.3 TPG and 1.3 FPG in 30.2 MPG. Finally, Keels’ defense is definitely a bonus in drafting the former All-ACC Freshman, as he is physical enough to defend on the perimeter and switch against bigger forwards with ease.
Keels’ game has its obvious red flags, with none greater than his perimeter shooting. Keels isn’t particularly efficient from three-point range, as he made just 31.2% of his 4.8 three-point attempts per game. Keels also struggles as a free-throw shooter, as he only hit on 67.0% from the charity stripe. Keels’ undefined position will also serve as a negative in the NBA, as he doesn’t fit quite well in one definite role. Keels can play either guard position, but doesn’t fit well at it due to poor court vision and lateral quickness. If you were to play Keels as an off-ball wing player, then his lack of shooting really minimizes his offensive game. It’s worth noting that Keels is just 19 years old, and will have time to develop in the NBA, but these concerns may scare off some teams in the Draft.
Check out our other Orlando Magic Mock Drafts:
Official 2022 NBA Mock Draft 1.0 of the Orlando Magic: Magic Double Up on Prospects from Duke
Official 2022 NBA Mock Draft 2.0 of the Orlando Magic: Magic Build Around Wendell Carter Jr.
Official 2022 NBA Mock Draft 3.0 of the Orlando Magic: Magic Prioritize Size and Perimeter Shooting