NBA Draft Rumors: Orlando Magic’s interest in Marcus Smart ‘a little overstated’
There are many who believe the Orlando Magic were eyeing former Oklahoma State Cowboys’ point guard Marcus Smart with the number two overall pick last year.
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Smart, of course, decided to return to school for his sophomore season and the Magic wound up grabbing the top player on the board, former Indiana Hoosiers’ guard Victor Oladipo. Things worked out for both Oladipo and the Magic – he had a solid season, finishing as the runner-up to Philadelphia 76ers’ point guard Michael Carter-Williams for the Rookie of the Year Award.
Because of the supposed interest in Smart last year, several pundits believes the Magic will once again target Smart. The team needs a point guard and Smart could be a fit because of his defensive ability.
However, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, the Magic’s interest in smart is “a little overstated.”
"The Magic’s interest in Marcus Smart is a little overstated. As for what they see in him; big guard. Tenacious defender. Is a leader. They like his maturity as a player. He is not a project.They are not locked in on anyone yet."
Australian point guard Dante Exum, who will work out for the Magic on Tuesday, is seemingly ahead of Smart on most draft boards.
Smart is ranked as the sixth-best prospect in the draft by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express. He averaged 18.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game last season and shot 42.2% from the field, 29.9% from beyond the arc and 72.8% from the charity stripe. Smart measured in at 6’3.25 and 227 lbs. with a wingspan of 6’9.25.