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2013 NBA Draft Results: Orlando Magic Live Draft Grade

By Ben Beecken

Mar 24, 2013; Dayton, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Victor Oladipo drives to the basket against Temple Owls guard Khalif Wyatt (1) during the third round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at University of Dayton Arena. Indiana defeats Temple 58-52. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2013; Dayton, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Victor Oladipo drives to the basket against Temple Owls guard Khalif Wyatt (1) during the third round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at University of Dayton Arena. Indiana defeats Temple 58-52. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 24, 2013; Dayton, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Victor Oladipo drives to the basket against Temple Owls guard Khalif Wyatt (1) during the third round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at University of Dayton Arena. Indiana defeats Temple 58-52. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2013; Dayton, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Victor Oladipo drives to the basket against Temple Owls guard Khalif Wyatt (1) during the third round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at University of Dayton Arena. Indiana defeats Temple 58-52. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

After the shock that was Anthony Bennett with the number one pick in the draft, the Magic did what was mostly expected by selecting Victor Oladipo out of Indiana. With Noel not going number one, there was certainly a chance that the Magic could have snapped up the big man’s upside, despite the ACL injury.

The Magic most likely were choosing between Oladipo and Ben McLemore, and I had correctly suspected that Oladipo would be the selection here. It will be interesting to see if the Magic try in earnest to move Arron Afflalo and his relatively large contract at some point this off-season in order to free  up the spot completely for Oladipo.

Oladipo won’t score a ton of points, but of course the Magic know that. His defense and overall athleticism will be huge for the young, up-and-coming Magic, and general manager Rob Hennigan has one more important piece for his squad. Obviously the Magic will need some more scoring to become a contender, but the solid, likely NBA-ready Oladipo will be very good for Orlando’s rotation.

The rest of the top-ten are certainly in flux at this point, as the Cavaliers first overall selection of Bennett from UNLV was a shock to absolutely everybody.

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