The NBA Draft is a little over a week away on June 25-26, and the Orlando Magic have a chance to improve their young core. Following the trade for Desmond Bane, the Magic hold three picks in the draft, with one first round pick and two second round picks.
Orlando is now firmly in the first apron, as three players make up over 70% of their cap space. This is not including Paolo Banchero, who is up for a contract extension next offseason. The Magic could use these picks to add players to the back end of their rotation.
It should be noted that in Jeff Weltman’s eight years of drafting, the Magic have only kept their second round pick three times, and only once in the past six years. The likelihood of Orlando using all three picks to add to their roster is unlikely. Weltman usually sends a second round pick to a team for cash considerations.
If they were to stay at each position, there are a few players that could be instant impact players for Orlando, as four members of their rotation have team options for the 2025-26 season.
Pick 25 (via Denver)
Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida
In his senior year, Walter Clayton Jr. helped bring the Florida Gators their first national title since 2007. Clayton Jr. was the key piece in the machine that was Florida, as he averaged 18.3 points per game in the regular season. The Lake Wales native turned it up in the NCAA Tournament, as he averaged 22.3 points and shot 43.5% from deep. His ability to score at a high percentage could be enticing to the Magic.
However, Clayton Jr. possesses two key flaws: his size and his age. Coming into his rookie year, he will be 22 and will end his contract at age 26. More importantly, Clayton Jr. is a shooting guard, and an undersized one at that. Standing at 6’2”, he is unable to be the primary ball handler and cannot advance the ball down the court. Yet, his ability to be a sparkplug like former Magic players Terrance Ross or Jordan Clarkson could be appealing to Orlando. After giving up Cole Anthony in the Bane trade, the bench is in need of a microwave scorer, and Clayton Jr. could be the answer.
Liam McNeely, G/SF, Connecticut
Despite sustaining an ankle injury that cost him a month of games, Liam McNeely’s freshman year at UConn was enough to earn him an All-Big East Third Team nod. In his 27 games, the Big East Freshman of the Year averaged 14.5 points on average shooting. His potential was showcased against the National Champion Florida Gators in the NCAA Tournament, as McNeely scored a team-high 22 points.
His downsides are his athletic ability and his lack of shot creation. McNeely did not have a great playmaking point guard at UConn in his lone year, and the Magic’s lack of a lead guard could be enough to shy away from him. However, at his size and comparisons to the draft profiles of Cory Kispert and Keegan Murray, the Magic could add another oversized two-way player into their rotation.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton
As a fifth-year senior, Ryan Kalkbrenner proved to be one of the best defenders in college basketball. Kalkbrenner won his fourth-straight Big East Defensive Player of the Year nod, blocking over two and a half shots for the third time in his career. He was also one of the most efficient interior scorers in the NCAA, putting up 19.2 points per game on 65% from the field. His presence in the paint could make Orlando draft the big, adding to their league-best defense.
The main drawback of Kalkbrenner’s game is that he is an older, one-dimensional player. He does not create his own shots and is not great with the ball in his hands. On occasion, Kalkbrenner will shoot a three-pointer, but put up less than 150 attempts in 169 career games. His percentage went up almost every year, and his 34.4% from deep was higher than all but five Magic players last season. Kalkbrenner is not a great athlete, and his average speed could hinder his NBA success. Yet, bigs like Walker Kessler and Luke Kornet have had good careers as primary defenders, leaving a blueprint for Kalkbrenner to contribute at the next level. With a lackluster center rotation, especially while Moritz Wagner recovers from his ACL tear, Kalkbrenner could immediately help the Magic at the start of the year.
Pick 46
Chaz Lanier, G, Tennessee
After transferring from North Florida, Chaz Lanier helped carry Tennessee to the Elite Eight in his lone year in Knoxville. Lanier was one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball last year, putting up 18 points with a 39.5% three-point percentage on over eight shots a game. He grades out as one of the most NBA-ready prospects in the draft, as his shooting splits in his college career show his poise. His ability to score with efficiency has had scouts give him comparisons to Malik Beasley and Kent Bazemore.
Since he was a fifth-year senior, Lanier will enter the league at age 23. His inability to be a lead guard could limit his potential, as he does not pass the ball well. When he gets good looks, Lanier can knock them down, but he struggles with creating his own shot at times. However, Lanier is the only player highlighted on this list confirmed to have worked out for Orlando. This is a sign that the Magic could overlook his flaws and add another older prospect to their roster.
Pick 57 (via Boston)
Eric Dixon, PF, Villanova
In his final year at Villanova, Eric Dixon put up 23.3 points per game, the most in the NCAA in 2024. He did so efficiently on a 45% field goal percentage and a 40.7% clip from three. This was not a fluke for the big, as he averaged 20.7 points in his college career in the Big East. Dixon’s ability to score in his minutes could help the Magic, who had one of the worst offenses in 2024.
Dixon being 24 before stepping on the NBA court limits his overall development. He is also a poor defender at the forward position, limiting his potential impact. Finally, Dixon does not have a great frame for a forward, standing at 6’8” but having a small standing reach. This limits his overall verticality and athletic ability, but this has not stopped Orlando before. Moe Wagner is a poor defender, but his ability to heat up off the bench has been integral for the Magic. Dixon has drawn comparisons to Grant Williams and former Magic forward Glen Davis, and could be a fit for a team looking for bench scoring.
Conclusion
Whoever the Magic decide to select in the draft will have the opportunity to crack the rotation in the 2025 season. While Orlando’s starting five seems to be set, their bench unit is one of the weaker groups in the NBA. Any combination of these players could help Orlando contend in a wide-open Eastern Conference next season.