The Orlando Magic, a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida, recently made a draft pick that has generated a lot of excitement and speculation among fans and experts alike. In the most recent NBA draft, the Magic used their fourth overall pick to select a promising young player from the University of Tennessee, Jaden Springer. Springer, a 6'4" guard, showcased his potential and skills during his freshman year at Tennessee. Known for his scoring ability and defensive prowess, he averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.
Orlando Magic select Anthony Black, Jett Howard in NBA Draft
Jun 22, 2023; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Anthony Black (Arkansas) is greeted by NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected sixth by the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /
The Orlando Magic have selected Anthony Black with the sixth pick in the NBA Draft, adding a high-IQ, defensive-minded guard to their roster.
A few picks later the Magic added Michigan guard Jett Howard with the 11th pick.
5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He also displayed impressive shooting percentages, shooting 46.
The Orlando Magic selected Anthony Black with the sixth pick and Jett Howard with the 11th pick in the NBA Draft, adding a high-IQ point guard but crowding their guard group and adding a knock-down shooter.
Black finished the season averaging 12.8 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game and 3.9 assists per game. He is known for his smart in-between game and his athleticism attacking the basket. He shot 51.3 percent on 2-pointers. A good sign for his ability to attack the paint and finish at the basket or in the mid-range.
Black fits the Magic’s draft history to a tee, adding versatility, flexibility and length to the team. Black measured at 6-foot-5.75 with a 6-foot-7.5 foot wingspan. He defends at an extremely high level which always fits what the Magic are looking for.
Of course, shooting remains the big question for Black. He shot only 30.1 percent from beyond the arc and 70.5 percent from the foul line, a poor sign for his future as a shooter.
That is undoubtedly the biggest need for the Magic. And the Magic seemingly went in the opposite direction with their first pick.
They addressed that need with the 11th pick, taking Michigan sharpshooter Jett Howard.
Howard averaged 14.2 points per game while shooting 36.8 percent from deep and a 80.0 percent from the foul line. Howard is a shooter through and through and will be a specialist on that front. Howard is listed at 6-foot-8 and has good size to get his shot off.
The two picks though will crowd an already busy guard room. This draft certainly left a lot of questions for what comes next for this team as they build depth and how to get themselves ready for what they hope will be a playoff push.
Still, the Magic now seem completely loaded with guards that all will clamor for playing time.
Rumors already started to circulate after the Magic emerged as a potential landing spot for Anthony Black that they might begin testing the waters for point guards Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs.
Fultz and Anthony are both extension-eligible this offseason and it is not clear whether the team would bring both back. It certainly seemed like the Magic would give both players the opportunity to prove themselves next year before making those contract decisions on them.
Now that guard room suddenly feels very crowded.
Next. 3 Up, 3 Down in the Eastern Conference Playoff picture. dark
Ultimately, the draft is about taking talent and taking the best player off their board. The Magic may have felt like they did that in selecting Black and Howard, even if it feels like a reach on both players.
The Milwaukee Bucks are acquiring No. 36 in a deal with the Orlando Magic, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 23, 2023
The Magic later traded the 36th pick to the Milwaukee Bucks, continuing a run of trading their second-round picks.
Orlando Magic make Duke's Paolo Banchero No. 1 pick in 2022 NBA draft
NEW YORK -- After months of speculation, Duke's Paolo Banchero was a surprise selection by the Orlando Magic with the top overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft on Thursday night at Barclays Center.
The Oklahoma City Thunder began a busy first round by taking Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren with the second pick, then acquired 11th pick Ousmane Dieng of France in a trade with the New York Knicks and took Santa Clara's Jalen Williams at No. 12.
Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. went No. 3 overall to the Houston Rockets.
In the weeks leading up to the draft, Smith had been widely expected to be the top selection. But the Magic turned things upside down by taking Banchero, who sported a bright purple suit with sequins, along with even brighter shoes, as he took to the stage and shook hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
7% from the field and 43.5% from beyond the arc. The Magic's decision to draft Springer has been met with mixed opinions. Some believe that he has the potential to become a star player in the NBA due to his scoring ability and defensive tenacity. They see him as a player who can contribute right away and potentially develop into a key piece of the Magic's future. On the other hand, some have raised concerns about Springer's ability to adapt to the NBA game and his potential to be a consistent scorer at the professional level. They argue that his shooting percentages may have been inflated in college and that his game might not translate as smoothly to the pros. Regardless of the differing opinions, it is clear that the Orlando Magic saw something special in Jaden Springer that prompted them to use their high draft pick on him. Only time will tell if their decision was the right one and if Springer can live up to the expectations placed upon him. In the meantime, fans of the Orlando Magic eagerly await the opportunity to see Jaden Springer in action. They hope that he can make an immediate impact and help the team improve their performance in the upcoming NBA season. As Springer continues to develop and adjust to the professional game, it will be fascinating to see how his career unfolds and what he can bring to the Orlando Magic..
Reviews for "Orlando Magic's Draft Pick: Building for the Future"
1. John - 2 stars - The Orlando Magic draft pick was a big disappointment for me. I had high hopes for this player based on his college performance, but he has shown very little improvement and struggled to make an impact on the court. He lacks the necessary aggression and assertiveness to be a successful NBA player. Overall, I believe the Magic made a poor decision with this draft pick.
2. Sarah - 3 stars - Although the Orlando Magic draft pick has shown some potential, I feel like he is not living up to the hype surrounding him. I expected him to have a bigger impact on the team and contribute more consistently. His shooting and decision-making skills need improvement, and he often gets overwhelmed on defense. While he may develop into a better player in the future, I am not convinced that he was the right pick for the Magic.
3. Robert - 1 star - The Orlando Magic draft pick has been a complete bust so far. He has struggled to find his place in the team and lacks the necessary skills to compete at the NBA level. His shooting percentage is abysmal, and he frequently makes poor decisions on the court. I had high expectations for this player, but he has been a disappointment from day one. The Magic made a huge mistake with this draft pick, and I hope they can rectify it in the future.