Based off Orlando’s tumulltous 21-51 regular-season record in 2021-2022, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Magic didn’t posses any sort of balance toward their offense. As a team, Orlando fielded one of the worst offenses in the NBA, averaging 104.2 PPG (29th in NBA), 9.1 ORPG (25th in NBA), 23.7 APG (20th in NBA), and 14.5 TPG (23rd in NBA). In addition to this, the Magic also struggled with shooting the ball, making just 43.4% from the field (27th in NBA) and 33.1% from three-point range (27th in NBA). In reference to these numbers, it shouldn’t come as a shock that Orlando was the only team in the NBA to not have a single player on their roster average at least 17.0 PPG (Cole Anthony led the Magic with 16.3 PPG).
With this said, Orlando wasn’t much better at playing defense, either. Throughout the 2021-2022 season, Orlando allowed their opponents to average 112.2 PPG (20th in NBA), 10.4 ORPG (18th in NBA), and 24.8 APG (14th in NBA) while shooting 45.8% from the field (14th in NBA) and 36.3% from downtown (24th in NBA). Of course, Orlando shouldn’t be faulted too much for their struggles on offense and defense, as they’ve constructed one of the NBA’s youngest and inexperienced rosters. In fact, Orlando’s average age is currently at 24.5 years old, largely due to the fact regarding that 16 of the Magic’s 22 players are age 25 or younger. If Orlando decides to properly address their offensive and defensive concerns this offseason, then drafting NBA ready draft-prospects with two-way playing ability will be the way for the Magic to navigate during the 2022 NBA Draft.
Round 1, Pick 1: Paolo Banchero, PF, University of Duke
Throughout the 2021-2022 college basketball regular season, it seemed as if Holmgren or Smith would be a lock to go No 1. based on their superb statistical seasons. With this said, Banchero’s 2021-2022 season was just as good as Holmgren’s or Smith’s, and Banchero also offers Orlando the most positional versatility out of the three prospects. In 38 games this season, Banchero averaged 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. At 6’10” and 250 pounds, Banchero may not have the crazy size of Holmgren or Smith, but his size is quite ideal for playing the “point forward” role, giving Banchero the ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Banchero’s physical presence makes him such a difficult player to guard, as he can use his effective post-up and paint game against smaller guards, or knock down shots on the perimeter when matched up with bigger forwards and centers. While Holmgren and Smith are extremely tempting for Orlando, taking Banchero is the smart and safe decision that will pay off in the future.
Round 2, Pick 32: Leonard Miller, SF/PF, Fort Erie (Ontario) International Academy
Since the 2021-2022 NBA regular season ended, there hasn’t been any other NBA Draft Prospect that has shot up draft boards more than Canada’s Miller, and for good reason. At just 18 years old, Miller is already 7’1″ and has a 7’3″ wingspan, making him one of the hardest players to defend in the entire draft class. As a result, Miller has a very well-rounded offensive game, as he possesses good ball-handling and passing skills, and is capable of scoring at all three levels on the floor. While Miller isn’t fit to play the point guard position, he’s quite comfortable in running his team’s offense. In addition to this, Miller is willing to take jump-shots when left open on the perimeter, which is uncanny for prospects similar to his size.
Miller will certainly need to make his jump shot more consistent, though, as his form isn’t replicable and reliable, which did cause his offense to struggle. While Miller is extremely raw as an NBA prospect and may have to spend multiple years in the G-League, it wouldn’t be a shock for an NBA team to take a chance on Miller’s potential. In fact, San Antonio decided to bet on Josh Primo’s long-term potential, as they selected him with the twelfth overall pick, despite him being 18-years-old and posting lackluster numbers at Alabama. For a team like Orlando, which has no need to rush Miller into their rotation and can afford him to play in the G-League, drafting Miller would be a very solid selection, based on his potential and versatility.
Round 2, Pick 35: C Trevion Williams, University of Purdue
Unlike the modern-day prototype of shooting big men, Williams has a much more old-school game. At 6’10” and 260 pounds, Williams is a polished low-post scorer and is a solid rim protector. In 37 games this season at Purdue, Williams averaged 12.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 3.0 RPG while shooting 54.7% from the field and 55.5% on two-point attempts. Williams’ college film won’t blow scouts away, but his dominance in the paint can’t be understated. Over his four-year career as a Boilermaker, Williams totaled 905 total rebounds (17th), 353 offensive rebounds (4th), and 552 defensive rebounds (16th), all ranking inside the top 20 in the history of the Big Ten. William’s paint presence certainly propelled Purdue to another solid season, where they finished with a 29-8 overall record, 14-6 mark in Big Ten conference play, and make the Elite Eight in March Madness.
While his old-school game is his biggest strength, William’s success in the NBA will be limited by his lack of growth and variety in his game. Williams doesn’t have much of a shooting game, as he went just 9-29 (31.0%) from three-point range over his four-year collegiate career, and has struggled from the free-throw line. To this day, Williams has not had one collegiate season where he made more than 60.0% of his attempts from the charity stripe. Williams also needs to become more disciplined when it comes to committing turnovers and personal fouls, as he averaged 2.1 TPG and 2.1 FPG this season. The most alarming part about Williams is that he wasn’t even the best center on Purdue’s roster, as Zach Edey was, and caused Williams to play a sixth-man role for Purdue.
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
Official 2022 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 of the Orlando Magic: Magic Look to Improve League’s Worst Defense
Official 2022 NBA Mock Draft 5.0 of the Orlando Magic: Magic Look to Add Positional Versatility
Official 2022 NBA Mock Draft 6.0 of the Orlando Magic: Magic Draft the Dynamic Duo from Auburn