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2014 NBA Draft: Grading each team’s draft

By Brad Rowland

Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view as basketball fans walk past a sculpture before the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view as basketball fans walk past a sculpture before the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Aaron Gordon (Arizona) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number four overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Aaron Gordon (Arizona) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number four overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Orlando Magic

I am extremely high on former Arizona forward Aaron Gordon, and that is a plus for the Orlando Magic. The Magic surprised most people by selecting Gordon with the fourth overall pick, but after the initial shock value, this isn’t a pick that should be a problem. Gordon has an adaptable game, and while he isn’t a polished offensive commodity by any stretch, comparisons to long-time NBA forward Shawn Marion are apt in that he can change the game defensively and with his athleticism, and you can never have enough burst.

With their second lottery selection, Orlando chose to move up to grab former Louisiana-Lafayette guard Elfrid Payton to fill their point guard hole. Frankly, I’m not a big fan of Payton’s game, but if the upside of a lock-down defender who can be an average player offensively holds, the Magic could have a terrorizing backcourt duo when pairing him with Victor Oladipo. This year’s NBA Draft wasn’t a dream scenario for the Magic and their fans, but they got two useful players, and they are constructing a long, athletic group.

Grade: B-

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