Fansided

NBA Draft 2016: Grades for every team

By Cody Williams

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka (9) reacts after a shot against the San Antonio Spurs in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka (9) reacts after a shot against the San Antonio Spurs in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Orlando Magic

Picks: No. 41 Stephen Zimmerman, No. 47 Jake Layman

To put this as bluntly as I can while still being somewhat respectful, I have no idea what in the hell the Orlando Magic were thinking on Thursday night during the NBA Draft. They are the opposite side of the coin of that trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder and that deal feels so inescapably one-sided that it’s truly staggering to think about.

As much as Serge Ibaka is a player that can make quality contributions to an NBA team and as much as I like the way that his athleticism will fit into the Magic alongside the likes of Elfrid Payton at guard and Aaron Gordon at the other forward spot, it’s baffling to me how much they were willing to give up to get him. Even if he doesn’t fit well, why be so quick to give up Oladipo, a player who can stretch the floor in Ilyasova, and then throw in a lottery pick and attractive big man prospect in Sabonis as well? That just doesn’t make any sense to me.

Moreover, I would have liked to have seen some more creativity in the second round after making such a trade, but instead they drafted a prospect I’m not too keen on in Stephen Zimmerman and another prospect that I think wasn’t worthy of being drafted and that’s overrated in Jake Layman. The only reason they don’t fail is because of Ibaka’s talent—but it was damn close to being there.

Final Grade: D

Next: Sixers

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