The Orlando Magic, a professional basketball team in the NBA, made several draft picks in the year 2023. The team had multiple selections in the draft, positioning them well for the future. These picks were crucial for the team's plan to rebuild and improve their roster. With their first-round pick, the Orlando Magic selected a highly talented point guard from a college basketball powerhouse. This point guard possesses exceptional court vision, speed, and agility. Known for his ability to control the pace of the game and make precise passes, he brings a new level of playmaking to the team.
Building the Orlando Magic's perfect 2023 NBA draft: Selecting all three picks
Most of the NBA draft dialogue this time of year centers on the first few picks, with teams placed in the spotlight as they prepare to make high-stakes decisions. But further down the draft board, there's always intrigue to be found, particularly with teams holding multiple selections that have the capacity to remake their roster for the better.
The Orlando Magic hold three 2023 draft picks, including two in the lottery, with a chance to catapult their young roster back into relevance with a strong offseason. The Magic nailed a difficult decision at the top of last year's draft, landing Paolo Banchero at No. 1, who earned Rookie of the Year honors with a strong campaign.
Orlando's front office has created a unique team-building opportunity moving forward, with Banchero and Franz Wagner giving them two largely interchangeable playmakers with plus positional size at forward.
What would an ideal draft night look like for the Magic? With the Nos. 6, 11 and 36 picks in hand, the Magic have a big opportunity to add talent this month, whether via the draft or trade. For the sake of the exercise, we'll operate under the assumption Orlando keeps its picks. And while these things always take time to properly bear out, ESPN's Jeremy Woo broke down Orlando's needs and what the best options might look like at each spot.
Known for his ability to control the pace of the game and make precise passes, he brings a new level of playmaking to the team. Additionally, his scoring ability and defensive skills make him a well-rounded player. In the second round, the Magic focused on adding depth to their frontcourt.
No. 6 pick: Ausar Thompson | Shooting guard | Overtime Elite
This pick actually presents a somewhat tricky question for the Magic. The feasible candidates at this spot aren't a perfect fit with their personnel needs because none of the prospects will be excellent shooters from day one. Considering Orlando has two lottery picks, there's rationale here to simply take a big swing at No. 6, and then directly address the desire to add more shooting at No. 11. And if we work off the assumption that our projected top five -- Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller, Scoot Henderson, Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson -- are off the board, that leaves Ausar Thompson as an intriguing option.
Factoring Banchero and Wagner's growing responsibilities as on-ball initiators, Orlando is probably looking at a too-many-cooks situation as far as ball handlers are concerned. But the insertion of a big, versatile defender and additional shot creator alongside them could be a significant help -- it addresses a need for a perimeter stopper and two-way option on the wing. The notion of Orlando fielding super-sized, playmaking heavy lineups around Banchero, Wagner and Thompson, who measured 6-foot-5 ¾ barefoot with a 7-foot wingspan at the combine is something to think about.
Thompson could be a significant upgrade defensively in relatively short order with the quickness and versatility to slow smaller guards as well as bigger wings. He'd immediately add a superior physical dimension to a Magic backcourt that includes Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony. The twin brother of Amen is a naturally tenacious defender who will likely rise to the challenge and improve some of the occasionally lax habits he showed at Overtime Elite.
While some of Thompson's upside lies in untapped playmaking ability -- his brother gets more credit as a passer, but Ausar can also create for others and is a useful playmaker -- it does help that he's accustomed to playing primarily off the ball, allowing the Magic some potential schematic versatility if they draft him.
Thompson is not an accomplished 3-point threat and will require some more time to become a consistent catch-and-shoot option in the NBA. There's going to be a major adjustment for him as he makes a significant jump in level from OTE to the NBA, which comes with some risk built in. But he did make tangible strides over two years with the fledgling program, and is known as a constant worker, which presumably bodes well for his chances of realizing his full ability.
They selected a versatile power forward who excels in rebounding and defending the paint. With his strong post moves and ability to stretch the floor, he provides a scoring threat from inside and outside the paint. His physicality and ability to contest shots make him a valuable addition to the team's defense. Furthermore, the Magic used another second-round pick to draft a promising shooting guard. This player is known for his exceptional shooting prowess and ability to create his own shot. With his quick release and sharpshooting accuracy, he adds much-needed scoring to the team's backcourt. He also demonstrates solid defensive skills and can guard multiple positions effectively. Overall, the Orlando Magic made astute draft picks in 2023, selecting players who address various needs on their roster. With the addition of a skilled point guard, a versatile power forward, and a sharpshooting shooting guard, the team is well-positioned to develop and compete in the future. These draft picks represent an exciting step forward for the Magic as they aim to build a competitive team in the coming seasons..
Reviews for "Predicting the Orlando Magic's draft approach in 2023 based on recent front office decisions"
1. John - 1 star
The Orlando Magic draft picks for 2023 were extremely disappointing. It seemed like they didn't put much thought or strategy into their selections. The players they chose didn't have the skill or potential to make any significant impact on the team. Overall, it was a wasted opportunity for the Magic to improve their roster, and I can't see these draft picks contributing much to their future success.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I was really hoping for some exciting new talent to join the Orlando Magic through the 2023 draft, but unfortunately, the picks left much to be desired. The players chosen seemed average at best and didn't show any standout qualities that could make a difference for the team. It's disheartening to see the Magic miss an opportunity to add some much-needed star power to their roster. I hope they can make up for it in future drafts.
3. Mike - 1 star
The Orlando Magic draft picks in 2023 were a complete letdown. It's clear that they didn't do their homework or scout properly for talented prospects. The players selected don't have the necessary skills or potential to thrive in the NBA. It's frustrating as a fan to see the Magic miss out on impactful players who could have helped turn the team's fortunes around. It's going to be another disappointing season for Orlando with these lackluster draft picks.