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"We love everything about the guy. He's a tremendous athlete who plays both ends of the floor and will help our team immediately and he's a character guy that we believe fits in what we are doing. We really believe we got a special player."
The above quote will apply to whoever the Magic take in the NBA Draft. Whether that is from Jeff Weltman or John Hammond, the team will love who they get with their two picks, if they keep both. No one says the following:
"Not sure what we got tonight. We just felt at some point we had to make a pick and we hope he can turn into a decent player. These drafts are such a crap shoot. We really have no idea whether this guy can become a star but we hope."
The Magic have the 5th pick in the draft because they were not good last season. They have the 8th pick in the draft because they bailed on the season when the injuries mounted and the organization decided the current group was never going to compete for a title and they moved Nikola Vucevic to the Bulls and got a 1st round pick.
The team needs to find a star and hopefully two. But if you are realistic for this draft, you want the team to draft two players that are part of their rotation from day one. But at some point, one of these draft picks must become a star. You can't win without stars in the NBA. The last player the Magic drafted that made the all-star game playing for Orlando was Dwight Howard. It's been that long.
Picking 5th might land the Magic a good player who can develop, he could become a franchise player or he could become another in a long line of Magic draft picks that we wait for their potential to become reality.
The team desperately needs shooters in a league where shooting is a priority. Can they land a shooter? Maybe, What if they draft a point guard? Then it's possible last year's first round pick is expendable. What if they draft a center? Then Mo Bamba is likely expendable. One thing is for certain if they keep both picks. The team will be adding two more teenagers to an already young team.
So let's look into the basketball crystal ball and guess what happens with the first eight picks in the 2021 NBA Draft:
1. Detroit - Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State: I don't believe the rumors of the Pistons taking Jalen Green here. They have had offers but will take Cunningham, who can step in immediately and make those around him better. He wants to be in Detroit and will be early on draft night.
2. Houston - Jalen Green, G League: I think the Rockets keep talking about wanting to trade up for Cade Cunningham just so Detroit takes him because I think they prefer Jalen Green. A freakish athlete who can score and should make an impact early.
3. Cleveland - Evan Mobley, USC: I am among those who believe Mobley could be special. He can score inside and step away from the basket and already excels on the defensive end with the ability of guarding away from the basket. The Cavs might see teams throw a lot of money at Jarrett Allen and would have to decide to pay him big bucks. Collin Sexton, Darius Garland and Isaac Okoro are a solid young group and adding Mobley makes the Cavs a fun team.
4. Toronto - Jalen Suggs- Gonzaga: Assuming the Raptors stay at this spot, it appears to be an easy choice. Kyle Lowry appears to be moving on and Suggs can be slotted in and play immediately and just makes sense. A trade out of this pick is not out of the question. The Raptors will listen to deals that include this pick and maybe Pascal Siakim-who comes with a lot of money on that contract.
5. Orlando Magic - Scottie Barnes, FSU: Here's what I love about Barnes- he can defend all five positions, appears to be loved by his teammates and is maybe the best passer in the draft. Barnes can make those around him better and fits the style of player the Magic front office loves. Here's what I am concerned about Barnes- he doesn't shoot well. Barnes was under 28% from three at FSU in his lone season. He shot free throws at just 62%. I don't believe players make massive jumps in shooting. You can either shoot or you can't. Barnes is a nice pick but he doesn't help the team in the area they need the most: shooting.
(Other potential picks here: Jonathan Kuminga, James Bouknight)
6. Oklahoma City - James Bouknight, UCONN: I think OKC is open to a trade but if they stay they go Bouknight over Kuminga. He has worked out well but there is the concern that a guy known as a scorer also didn't shoot the three well in college. He was under 30% last season and turned the ball over a bit too much.
7. Golden State - Josh Giddey, Adelaide: The Warriors are likely to seek a trade with a second pick later in the draft. Will they bail on James Wiseman after one season? Will they move Andrew Wiggins? Do they make a deal with Draymond and Ben Simmons? Giddey fits in with what the Warriors do and could slide into their rotation nicely and provide points.
8. Orlando - Alperen Sengun, Besitkas: Yup. The teenager was the MVP in Turkey, which is considered the second best league in Europe. A traditional big man that is not very fast and will struggle defensively. But Sengun is loved by many in the draft and the Magic are among those teams. He can score and is considered one of the best passers in the draft. He shoots free throws over 80%. It has a Giannis like feel. Not that Sengun will be the next GIannis but there are similarities in their game coming into the draft. Recent draft history of top European big men tell you this pick will work. His game has been compared to Vucevic and Domantas Sabonis(a former Magic draft pick). That may not blow you away but if I told you the Magic will get a player who will become a starter for 8-10 seasons, you would take that.
(Other potential picks: Jonathan Kuminga (yes, he may still be here, Davion Mitchell, Moses Moody, Franz Wagner.........and remember this name: Stanford's Ziare Williams)
Picking Barnes and Sengun will not solve the outside shooting needs for the Magic. They would be two players who could help next season. Barnes would be more likely to have an immediate impact. Drafting Sengun would certainly make Mo Bamba an interesting player who could be used in a deal. The Magic at some point have to figure out which young players they believe to build around. You can't have 10 promising players and win at a high level. Here's hoping this draft gives Orlando at least one star, something the team desperately needs.
Final thought: In 2000, Orlando took Mike Miller with the 5th pick. He went on to play 17 seasons and over 1,000 games in the NBA.