Orlando Magic – B-
16th Overall – Chuma Okeke, Forward (Auburn)
When the Orlando Magic announced that John Hammond would be taking over as the team’s general manager a couple of years ago there were plenty of jokes made that the Magic would only target athletic players with long arms. Well since Hammond took over the team has taken Jonathan Isaac, Wes Iwundu, Mo Bamba, Melvin Frazier, and now Chuma Okeke. All five picks fit within the athletic player with long arms mold.
In Chuma Okeke, Orlando is getting a player who likely won’t contribute much as a rookie due to the fact that the Auburn forward tore his ACL during the NCAA Tournament in March. Why rush him back when you can let him rehab under the watch of team doctors and then use the G-League (Lakeland Magic) to bring him along slowly before using his next season as the chance to show the rest of the league what he can do. Before getting hurt, Okeke looked the part of a potential lottery pick and Orlando must have agreed as they pounced on him after he fell outside of it.
Hammond is building a team that will suffocate opponents with their length and athleticism. Okeke fits that’s perfect but a negative is that with so many players that look the same and play the same way it will be hard for them to differentiate themselves from the others. Of the five players listed above Okeke is lone one that was known to be an above-average shooter prior to being drafted by the Magic. If his shooting remains at the level it was before the injury then it could be his ticket to immediate playing time when he is cleared to play.
Coming off of an inspired run to the playoffs in Steve Clifford’s first season as the head coach. Clifford’s team are known for the defense and that was the case for Orlando last season too. Adding another versatile defender in Okeke is only going Ron makes it tougher to score against Orlando in the future.