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NBA Draft 2020: 5 best fits for Cole Anthony

By Trevor Marks

Cole Anthony, North Carolina Tar Heels, (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Cole Anthony, North Carolina Tar Heels, (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – FEBRUARY 08: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels plays during a game against the Duke Blue Devils on February 08, 2020 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Duke won 98-96 in OT. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – FEBRUARY 08: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels plays during a game against the Duke Blue Devils on February 08, 2020 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Duke won 98-96 in OT. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images) /

5. Orlando Magic

Orlando, in its front office’s quest to monopolize super-sized wings, doesn’t stand out as a picturesque fit for a lead guard who is at his best attacking with a spaced floor and ample perimeter spacers. Joining a team that finished 25th in 3-point shooting (34.3 percent), 19th in 3-point attempts (32.2 3PA), and 23rd in offensive rating (107.9) seems problematic at first blush, but there is some latent value here for a capable on-ball creator the likes of Cole Anthony, notably in the head coach’s schematic penchant for pick-and-roll reps for his lead guards.

Both in Orlando and his previous stint in Charlotte, Steve Clifford built his offenses around strong synergistic relationships between his point guard and center. In Charlotte, Kemba Walker evolved into one of the league’s premier pick-and-roll operators, with Al Jefferson and Cody Zeller paving the way. And though the Magic don’t currently offer top-notch creators, both Markelle Fultz and DJ Augustin saw spikes in pick-and-roll opportunities under Clifford, with Nikola Vucevic giving both guards a reliable screener, roller, and popper. Vucevic ranked fourth in the league this season in both screen assists per game (5.0) and points generated off screens (11.5), boding well for a potential partnership with Anthony.

The Magic would certainly need to reshape its roster by offloading a forward or two and by adding additional spacers, but Anthony would join a team with the requisite wing defenders (Jonathan Isaac, Aaron Gordon, Chuma Okeke) to cover up his on-ball weaknesses and the aforementioned pick-and-roll scheme to maximize his creation ability. The creation growth from both Fultz and Gordon are encouraging signs as well, theoretically allowing Anthony to play away from the ball, too. There are better fits for the North Carolina guard, but given the team’s lack of perimeter shot makers (and takers), Anthony would be a welcome addition to the Magic.

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