Orlando Magic: 3 perfect combinations for their pair of 1st-round picks

1. Ausar Thompson and Gradey Dick

There has been a lot of positive buzz around Ausar Thompson lately, with NBA teams allegedly getting eyes on his improved jumper. He might not even fall to No. 6 — or maybe it’s his twin brother, Amen, who ends up falling here. Either one would be an excellent outcome for the Magic who, say it with me, love athletes and positional versatility.

Thompson is 6-foot-7 with the handles and playmaking instincts of a point guard. Ausar spent more time off the ball than Amen in the Overtime Elite league, so he’d probably be the more natural immediate fit with Orlando. Both Banchero and Wagner will demand touches, which could force Ausar (or Amen) to spend time cutting, relocating, and attacking off the catch.

The shooting concerns are valid with Thompson and the Magic definitely need more shooters. The primary hurdle between Orlando and offensive respectability right now is the lack of 3-point volume. Banchero will spend a lot of time on the elbow or bullying mismatches in the post, so the Magic would probably need some level of confidence in Ausar’s alleged jump shot improvement being real.

There’s also the No. 11 pick, in this case, Gradey Dick, who can help assuage spacing concerns. Dick is arguably the best shooter on the board at 6-foot-8, flying around screens or sizing up his man before unleashing side-steps and step-backs from deep range. He’s not the springiest of athletes, but Dick has some hang time around the rim and he’s a very adept basketball mind. He’s always moving and he’s a slick playmaker. There might not be a more ideal prospect-to-team fit in the draft than Dick to Orlando.