After missing the playoffs again, the Orlando Magic currently hold the sixth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Here are five prospects that could help them get back on track.
The Orlando Magic haven’t made the postseason since the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season. It’s easy to see why they have struggled, as there has been no stability with their coaching staff in recent years.
Since the Magic relieved Stan Van Gundy of his duties in 2012, they have had four different head coaches in that span. Their front office has done them no justice either by making baffling trades, and shelling out abnormally large contracts to players who haven’t panned out, which has continued to diminish their progress.
However, things may finally be looking up for Magic fans as they have a solid coach in Frank Vogel, and they finally moved on from former GM Rob Hennigan. The Magic recently hired Jeff Weltman as their new president of basketball operations, and it’s a move that was favored by many. He successfully helped mold the Toronto Raptors into a good playoff playoff team, even reaching the conference finals in the 2015-16 season.
With the 2017 NBA draft loaded with elite level talent, the Magic may finally be able to draft a star player that they have been missing since Dwight Howard left town. The Magic have another first round pick (25th overall), but we’ll be looking at their top targets with the sixth overall pick.
5. Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke
Tatum was one of the best scorers at the forward position in college last season, and it’s not astonishing with his offensive arsenal. He has a smooth mid-range jumper, and has the ability to take his opponents off the dribble and drive it in to the basket. Tatum averaged 16.8 points per game as a freshman last season with Duke, but he has shown he’s more than just a scorer.
Tatum averaged over seven rebounds a game, and held his own on the defensive end by averaging over a block, and a steal per game for good measure. Tatum has also been improving his 3-point shooting ability, which wasn’t his biggest strong suit in college.
With Tatum’s size and scoring ability, he would be a great fit to join the Magic’s front court alongside bouncy swingman Aaron Gordon, and dominant post presence Nikola Vucevic. Of course Tatum could be taken off the board before the Magic get on the clock, but it’ll be hard to pass up on his polished offensive game if he falls in their laps.