Best/Worst Draft Scenarios
(#5 pick)
Best Case Scenario: Drafting SF Justise Winslow (Duke, Freshman)
This highly probable scenario of Winslow falling to the Magic at number five, especially considering how there is a fairly clear-cut top four, is also the optimal one. Loaded with young talent up and down their roster, Orlando still has a relatively glaring hole at small forward and for outside shooting. Enter Winslow, the best small forward in the class who connected on a very impressive 42% of his threes at Duke, including a highly efficient 48.5% shooting overall. He’s not just a great three-point shooter, however, as Winslow’s defensive skills and tenacity on that end of the court have always been his calling card (combined 2.2 blocks and steals per game). Also averaging 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2 assists per game, Winslow has do-it-all written all over him.
Worst Case Scenario: Drafting another power forward
The Magic have a small, recent history of selecting a power forward in the draft to pair next to star C Nikola Vucevic. Not a bad idea, although in 2012 they selected PF Andrew Nicholson over PF/C Jared Sullinger and, although it’s too early to say, rather oddly opted for PF Aaron Gordon over PF Julius Randle last year. With it also looking more than likely that PF/SF Tobias Harris will return in free agency, the Magic have more than enough depth at power forward, especially considering Gordon’s potential. Backcourt is also not an issue, as the Magic have done a solid job of providing the electric young duo of PG Elfrid Payton and SG/PG Victor Oladipo with enough depth behind them. Considering the plethora of sensational big men that Orlando could choose from at this point ( the fast-rising PF/C Kristaps Porzingis, C Willie Cauley-Stein, PF Trey Lyles, PF/C Frank Kaminsky, etc), they must resist the temptation of drafting another big guy and instead opt to fill their most glaring hole (small forward) with the best player (SF Justise Winslow).
(#5 pick)
Best Case Scenario: Drafting SF Justise Winslow (Duke, Freshman)
This highly probable scenario of Winslow falling to the Magic at number five, especially considering how there is a fairly clear-cut top four, is also the optimal one. Loaded with young talent up and down their roster, Orlando still has a relatively glaring hole at small forward and for outside shooting. Enter Winslow, the best small forward in the class who connected on a very impressive 42% of his threes at Duke, including a highly efficient 48.5% shooting overall. He’s not just a great three-point shooter, however, as Winslow’s defensive skills and tenacity on that end of the court have always been his calling card (combined 2.2 blocks and steals per game). Also averaging 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2 assists per game, Winslow has do-it-all written all over him.
Worst Case Scenario: Drafting another power forward
The Magic have a small, recent history of selecting a power forward in the draft to pair next to star C Nikola Vucevic. Not a bad idea, although in 2012 they selected PF Andrew Nicholson over PF/C Jared Sullinger and, although it’s too early to say, rather oddly opted for PF Aaron Gordon over PF Julius Randle last year. With it also looking more than likely that PF/SF Tobias Harris will return in free agency, the Magic have more than enough depth at power forward, especially considering Gordon’s potential. Backcourt is also not an issue, as the Magic have done a solid job of providing the electric young duo of PG Elfrid Payton and SG/PG Victor Oladipo with enough depth behind them. Considering the plethora of sensational big men that Orlando could choose from at this point ( the fast-rising PF/C Kristaps Porzingis, C Willie Cauley-Stein, PF Trey Lyles, PF/C Frank Kaminsky, etc), they must resist the temptation of drafting another big guy and instead opt to fill their most glaring hole (small forward) with the best player (SF Justise Winslow).