And With The No.16 Pick: 5 Orlando Draft Prospects

June has, for what feels like the longest time, been the point in the year when Orlando Magic fans get most excited. Another season of early promise followed by winter disappointment culminated in a Lottery pick come draft time. For a large portion of the fan base these consistently poor seasons were roundly celebrated. 'Yes, we were shit again. Let's get that transcendent player and turn this train around!'. This eventually wears thin when we don't get our dreams and land the No.1 pick or find that diamond in the rough. I've always felt that tanking is a bad road to take, particularly if you don't hit in the draft. The organisation becomes so used to losing that, if you don't make that leap, you will languish in the depths of the NBA for years. Although Orlando didn't seem to be tanking, they certainly were BAD for a long time. 

This year is different though. Orlando finally ended their Playoff drought and for the first time since 2012, they are not a lottery team. Their 7th place finish in the Eastern Conference landed them with the No.16 pick in the 2019 Draft. The team is seemingly in a much more stable position than previous years, with a young core that appears to be developing well (though the jury remains out on the 2018 No.6 pick Mo Bamba). The running joke among Magic fans and the media is that to work out who Orlando will draft, simply look at the guy with the biggest wingspan. Can't shoot? Nowhere near NBA ready? Doesn't matter to Weltman and Hammond. YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH LONG. I do have faith in what management are doing, but I don't want to see the same approach this year. I don't care about defence in this Draft. I don't want another three year project. I don't want a stick thin 14'8” wingspan. This is the time to address a need. A glaring need.

We need shooting. And we need it now.

Orlando need more players that opposition have to respect. Players that draw the defence, creating openings elsewhere. Players that you feel confident in when the shot leaves their hand. So here's my brief run down of the five prospects at 16 that I'd like to see suit up at the Amway next season:

Tyler Herro – Shooting Guard

Herro is the exact sort of player I'm looking to draft. He makes shots. He averaged 14.0 points in college, shooting 42.6% from the field. His 35.5% from beyond the arc makes him earn instant respect. He is 93.5% from the line. That's COLD. It is also a great sign that his shot percentage is only going to continue to improve. He is one of best pure shooters in this draft class and the exact player the Magic should be drafting. His NBA ready skills would be perfect on this team, particularly if we do lose Terrence Ross in Free Agency. His ability to catch and shoot is reminiscent of what we have been used to seeing with Ross. He is a guard with good size, measuring 6'6”, and does have solid defensive skills when called upon. At just 19 years old, he certainly has potential to become an elite three point shooter in the NBA and would be a great selection with the 16 pick.

Cameron Johnson – Power Forward

A name that has been climbing the boards in mock drafts is that of North Carolina product Cameron Johnson. He has a fantastic shot, a pure stroke. He is possibly the best shooter in the entire Draft. He knocked down a flaming hot 45.7% from three, while averaging 16.9 points per game. As soon as he steps on an NBA floor, opposition coaches will become nervous. He shoots 50.6% from the field. Those are nightmare percentages to come up against. His age, at 23, has kept him in the early to mid 20s in most mock drafts. It doesn't concern me though. Maybe management look to trade back a few slots to pick him up. He doesn't have the biggest length for his height, standing 6'9” with a 6'10” wingspan. OH NO! Still, at the forward position I could see him easily fitting in at Orlando with the potential rotation options. I'd even try him as a big guard at times. He averaged 2.4 assists and the signs are that those numbers will increase. If I had the choice and he was available, Johnson would be my guy.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker – Shooting Guard

On most mock drafts, Alexander-Walker ends up as the Magic's pick. It's easy to see why. He is the most complete player in the range we will be selecting. 16.2 points per game, shooting a solid 47.4% from the field and 37.4% from three. His game is well rounded and I think he could be trusted to come into the rotation from day one.. A 6'5” guard, he would be a nice addition to play behind Fournier (if he's still around and Ross is gone). He made 4.0 assists per game, and Orlando need more shot creators as well as shot makers. Defensively he is strong, with 1.9 steals a game and with his size he has the ability to guard multiple positions. He is climbing on some boards, so the potential is there for him to be gone at 16. I would be happy if we did decide to draft him because of his all round game. For me, while he doesn't have the clinical shooting of other options that I really want, the completeness of his game makes up for that. 

Kevin Porter Jr. - Shooting Guard

This one is an interesting pick. Porter Jr. was limited in his season at USC due to a mix of injuries and suspension. The latter is a reason why I'm pretty certain the Magic will not select him, as they are BIG on the person in addition to the player. Despite this though, he does have unharnessed talent. He shot 41.7% from the field, and an impressive 41.2% from beyond the arc. His free throws are concerning at 52.2%, which suggests his current three point percentage has hit its peak. It's still a solid number though from downtown. His assists are low, at just 1.4 per game. It would be good to have a few more assists in addition to his already consistent shooting. That would need to improve, and his game certainly could if he focuses fully on using his talent. He is a solid guard, standing 6'5”, but there is potential that he is gone by the time Orlando are on the clock. I personally wouldn't be upset if we did miss out on him because I'm not sure how he would fit in the locker room. Maybe the NBA changes him, but I want someone I can trust from day one.

Rui Hachimura – Power Forward

This pick is name that hasn't come up much in terms of the Magic, but is a guy that fits what I feel we really need. He shot 59.1% from the field, and never below 52.8% in his three years at Gonzaga. From beyond the arc he shot 41.7%. At 6'8” and 230lbs, he is a true Stretch 4. He has to be respected from the perimeter, which can get opponents out of their comfort zone. His 19.7 points per game are impressive and he is built for the NBA already. His size makes players think twice. Offensively he is dream for the current direction of the league. His defensive skills do need to be improved, with his blocks at just 0.5 per game. These are skills that could be greatly improved in Orlando with the coaching team we have in place. As I've said though, I want shooting, and Hachimura provides this. He is expected to go late teens to early twenties, and is a little older at 21, which doesn't bother me. He has a skill and body that would make him effective as soon as he is in the rotation. 

These are five players that I think would provide the Magic with the production that they need from day one. The shooting that each prospect would bring to the team should be the main focus of this years Draft. Some of the picks like Cameron Johnson or Rui Hachimura would even allow Orlando to move back a few spots and collect further assets. Whichever route the team decides to take, I have faith that it will be right one.

As long as it's a shooter.

What do you think of my picks? Like them? Hate them? Confused by them? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter @philharlowuk and @thecloseupmagic.