2018 NBA Mock Draft: What’s in store for the second round?
38. . G. Oklahoma. Trae Young. 6. player
In need of a pure talent upgrade, the Magic should lock into Young early.
I’m still pretty intrigued by Jonathan Isaac, but he likely will never be a go-to playmaker. Aaron Gordon is still on the roster as well, and maintains some scoring and passing upside. He is a core part of this team if Orlando decides to re-sign him come free agency. Even considering those two plus interesting youngsters like Kehm Birch, Jonathon Simmons and Wesley Iwundu, there’s not a lot to work with.
Young might not be the best overall prospect in this draft, but he stands out as someone, alongside Marvin Bagley III and Deandre Ayton, who has a great chance at revitalizing a franchise from a branding and scoring standpoint. Points sell, you know.
Plus, the Magic just traded their point guard, Elfrid Payton, to Phoenix this February. They currently have no one on their roster to fill that mantle, and in a draft loaded with modern point guards, it makes sense for them to look there come June. Young could stuff the box score in a manner similar to Payton in Orlando, but much more efficiently and with a bend toward team basketball.
Some team is going to be delighted by Young’s prediction and how he draws fan interest. I hope for their sake that it’s the Magic.