Official 2020 NBA Draft Thread

[zaymon]

If we go for shooting, what position exactly we want to upgrade ?

Dear Magic fans:

Orlando is drafting for bench depth. No more, no less.



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Maybe, maybe not. It depends on if they are looking to alleviate “certain” contracts if they manage to land a diamond in the rough. Skill sets also matter with bench depth. Meaning that drafting someone that provides nothing new off the bench wouldn’t make sense. Orlando lacks a scoring punch outside of anyone not named Ross. That should be an indicator.

Than again, what do I know? They selected 3 Prospects with length metrics and defensive aptitude in consecutive years without actually addressing roster concerns.

Weltman said numerous times he wont use draft as a tool to balance roster.

[VFX]

Dear Magic fans:

Orlando is drafting for bench depth. No more, no less.



..

Maybe, maybe not. It depends on if they are looking to alleviate “certain” contracts if they manage to land a diamond in the rough. Skill sets also matter with bench depth. Meaning that drafting someone that provides nothing new off the bench wouldn’t make sense. Orlando lacks a scoring punch outside of anyone not named Ross. That should be an indicator.

Than again, what do I know? They selected 3 Prospects with length metrics and defensive aptitude in consecutive years without actually addressing roster concerns.

Weltman said numerous times he wont use draft as a tool to balance roster.

Then we will never ever competitive because nobody is signing with Orlando without a cornerstone scorer. They’ve shown they don’t draft that player.

[zaymon]

Maybe, maybe not. It depends on if they are looking to alleviate “certain” contracts if they manage to land a diamond in the rough. Skill sets also matter with bench depth. Meaning that drafting someone that provides nothing new off the bench wouldn’t make sense. Orlando lacks a scoring punch outside of anyone not named Ross. That should be an indicator.

Than again, what do I know? They selected 3 Prospects with length metrics and defensive aptitude in consecutive years without actually addressing roster concerns.

Weltman said numerous times he wont use draft as a tool to balance roster.

Then we will never ever competitive because nobody is signing with Orlando without a cornerstone scorer. They’ve shown they don’t draft that player.

They didnt miss on any real cornerstone scorers except Mitchell, but we drafted Isaac that year so we cant blame them. Maybe we have that player in Fultz who knows.

[PrimeThyme]

But: I would bet Your soul that one of: Cole Anthony, Onyeka Okongwu, Théo Maledon, Precious Achiuwa or RJ Hampton will emerge as a multi-year All-star. Which one? I am not smart enough. But the mid-range draft looks great for the Boom-bust types.

I watched quite a bit of Cole Anthony this year and he has DSJ written all over him imo. Undersized athletic guard with subpar efficiency and questionable overall NBA skillset at best. He may put up empty stats similar to DSJ but I don't see him as an impact player at the next level.

I can't speak much on the other names you mentioned. I followed Hampton in high school and know he went overseas but his stock seemed to plummet pretty significantly with his play over there.

Again, it still seems like a mediocre draft top to bottom but time will tell.

[yoyojw17]

Was a great watch! Definitely like the kid even more. High IQ... hard worker and deadly shooter... in a 6'6" 215 frame.... DIBS if he's there for us.

Watch on YouTube

EDIT: 6'-11" wingspan!!!.... according to him.

[basketballRob]

Draftnet has us taking Pat Williams, who could end up being a solid small forward.

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[dsg2021]

Was a great watch! Definitely like the kid even more. High IQ... hard worker and deadly shooter... in a 6'6" 215 frame.... DIBS if he's there for us.

Watch on YouTube

EDIT: 6'-11" wingspan!!!.... according to him.

Was just looking at Nesmith and Josh Green the past few days! I love Nesmith.

[AdamTheGreek]

Don't get upset if the Magic trade this first round pick or select an international draft-and-stash. I'm not saying it's going to happen, but keep that as a valid option in the back of your head.

The decreasing salary cap, combined with WeltHamm's history of not caring for picks in the 20-30 range (I know we're looking at drafting around 16-18, but that's close enough), combined with WeltHamm being on record over the last season that they've admitted that they have more than enough 'youth' on this club (and Okeke hasn't stepped onto the court yet). It's cheaper to sign undrafted guys, 2nd rounders, and promote G-Leaguers than pay a 1st rounder. The Magic, and every NBA franchise will be seeking to pinch pennies for the sake of the salary cap.

[MagicFan101]

Crap. Devin Vassell is up to #6 on nbadraft.net’s latest mock. My plan that he would remain undervalued by half of major mocks is being slaughtered faster than I expected.

[zaymon]

Crap. Devin Vassell is up to #6 on nbadraft.net’s latest mock. My plan that he would remain undervalued by half of major mocks is being slaughtered faster than I expected.

At this point i think he is being overvalued. He doesnt have great handle, and he is not above average passer. Better version of Iwundu ?

[SOUL]

I'd be shocked if we keep this pick tbh. Not shocked but with Bamba still coming along and Isaac/Fultz being young, Chuma playing next year.. we have a lot of young guys.

[basketballRob]

I could see Maledon being a draft and stash candidate.

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[jezzerinho]

Don't get upset if the Magic trade this first round pick or select an international draft-and-stash. I'm not saying it's going to happen, but keep that as a valid option in the back of your head.

The decreasing salary cap, combined with WeltHamm's history of not caring for picks in the 20-30 range (I know we're looking at drafting around 16-18, but that's close enough), combined with WeltHamm being on record over the last season that they've admitted that they have more than enough 'youth' on this club (and Okeke hasn't stepped onto the court yet). It's cheaper to sign undrafted guys, 2nd rounders, and promote G-Leaguers than pay a 1st rounder. The Magic, and every NBA franchise will be seeking to pinch pennies for the sake of the salary cap.

I agree with you and, specifically with these factors in mind, here's what I could see happening.

We trade AG and our FRP for CJ McCollum. Throw in an end of rotation player if we need to make up salary. Portland is wildly over the cap and will be waaaay over if the cap shrinks. They need to replace expensive guys for cheap rookies, as you say.

They have Simons as an improving SG and do this deal to shrink cap, add a good roster player and acquire a draftee. Maybe they combine their picks to move up. AGs declining deal further helps them as they reduce salary - or they flip him.

If we did this deal, we would need Fournier to have walked or for us to offload Ross and/or Aminu. We'd need to pick up a cheap vet PG or swing for one at the top of the 2nd round in a deep PG class with a tradeup.

But it makes a ton, an absolute ton of sense, for both teams in the current climate with their rosters as they are.

[Skybox]

Don't get upset if the Magic trade this first round pick or select an international draft-and-stash. I'm not saying it's going to happen, but keep that as a valid option in the back of your head.

The decreasing salary cap, combined with WeltHamm's history of not caring for picks in the 20-30 range (I know we're looking at drafting around 16-18, but that's close enough), combined with WeltHamm being on record over the last season that they've admitted that they have more than enough 'youth' on this club (and Okeke hasn't stepped onto the court yet). It's cheaper to sign undrafted guys, 2nd rounders, and promote G-Leaguers than pay a 1st rounder. The Magic, and every NBA franchise will be seeking to pinch pennies for the sake of the salary cap.

I agree with you and, specifically with these factors in mind, here's what I could see happening.

We trade AG and our FRP for CJ McCollum. Throw in an end of rotation player if we need to make up salary. Portland is wildly over the cap and will be waaaay over if the cap shrinks. They need to replace expensive guys for cheap rookies, as you say.

They have Simons as an improving SG and do this deal to shrink cap, add a good roster player and acquire a draftee. Maybe they combine their picks to move up. AGs declining deal further helps them as they reduce salary - or they flip him.

If we did this deal, we would need Fournier to have walked or for us to offload Ross and/or Aminu. We'd need to pick up a cheap vet PG or swing for one at the top of the 2nd round in a deep PG class with a tradeup.

But it makes a ton, an absolute ton of sense, for both teams in the current climate with their rosters as they are.

I would LOVE this move and, if Simons is any good, I think it's good for POR too. I wonder if an opted-in Fournier could be moved (if whoever had cap space-ATL?-wouldn't go for Ross/Aminu) for a lesser player and cap space? Fournier for Huerter (similar but Fournier a more seasoned, versatile scorer at this point) or even Fournier and a future pick for Hunter? Either of these would also give us the cap to deal with CJ/AG...I'd trade 2 frp's in those deals to get CJ and a young talent to add to our already young team.

#1 Opted in Evan and 2022 frp for Hunter (and cap space) OR Evan for Huerter (and cap space)
#2 AG and FRP for McCollum

re: backup point, MCW, our 2nd round pick and the unsigned wastelands should cover us...I'd love to keep DJ for a minimal deal. I wonder what his likelihood to do that would be. Loyalty and comfort level are nice, but if he's not getting the $$$, I'd not blame him for joining the Lakers or similar in a similar role. CJ can also play PG for minutes...This would be pretty close to an ideal offseason for me-along with everyone getting healthy.

Vuc/Bamba/Birch
Isaac/Okeke/Aminu
Hunter/Okeke/Iwundu
CJ/TRoss/Ennis?Frazier?
Fultz/DJ/MCW

no frp in 2020 and 2022 (in Hunter scenario)...I wouldn't want to include frp with Evan for Huerter unless no other way to facilitate CJ deal

[dsg2021]

Only issue is if a few too many are trading out or down, then there might be a bigger value proposition in trading up a tiny smidge higher and nabbing someone with value like Nesmith. Looking at MIA's model, they get immediate impact players in any range as well, even if it caps ceilings. So it's not like you need "vets", just common sense, classic scouting. And you won't go wrong with Nesmith (and Okeke's return). It's better trade fodder than 12 year veteran player X.

Dare I say the Magic actually, you know, go for a real trade-up offer the next time a Luka comes around?.. Call me crazy, but in an alternate dimension if we had remained loyal to Otis and Stan, we'd have worser FO years in between, but they would have seen Luka, thought of Hedo Turkoglu, as a version 10.0, then placed on steroids, and grabbed him by any means necessary. And here we are, full circle, with them the best FO all along. Because I have now decided to take my best entrepreneurial idea from my business journal to Shark Tank, and offer a 98% stake in the company for $1 dollar to Cuban if he includes trading Luka to ORL

[yoyojw17]

I guess i might be in a different camp.

I like the ball in Fultz's hands.... and i think the ball should be in his hands a lot more next season. A player like CJ would (Please Use More Appropriate Word) that growth a little bit. The reason we played so well once again down the stretch was that players found their rolls, played as a team, played team defense and started flourishing. Ps. not saying that having another scorer/ball handler is not something i want.... BUT.... trading AG (17-19mill) for CJ (28 mill that will bump into the 30's is also somewhat of a risk).

Now... I know Isaac is you and injury-prone.... but his defense he can hang his hat on all day as he becomes a possible elite defender in this league. And his growth on the offensive end has been satisfactory thus far from where he has started.

Bamba was looking much more comfortable down the stretch.

Okeke is not a scorer but brings the swiss army knife defender and high scoring efficiency and IQ to the table. The guy is just a plain winner.

AG is still only 24 years old and the maturity we saw after the all-star game was a breath of freaking fresh air. the entire season i said.... when he slows down and doesn't force the issue... not only will he be more efficient, even his number would go up. he became more responsible and to be honest.... i would wait to see what next step he will take. By no means am I ever looking for AG to be a 20 pnt scorer, and if someone does... then they are setting themselves up for disappointment. lol But... 16-18pnt, 8-9 reb, 5-6 asst and 2stocks is more than attainable in my opinion. In the zone.... he is a perfect glue guy.

Vuc, Fournier, Ross and DJ have developed into a stabilizers for the team, with the youth being what can drive them to the next level.

now.... i would love to get a bucket getter on this team.... to bring along for vacated spots. If Nesmith .... ideal fit for the starting SG of the future... i would be happy. People argue about us not having a floor spacer.... now we have an opportunity to get a buddy hield with some defense.... count me in.

for me.... i like the accumulation of talent. I'd rather see okeke and nesmith on the deep bench more than gary clark and vic law. groom them for hopefully being our future... allowing us to use others as assets.

[Bensational]

Was a great watch! Definitely like the kid even more. High IQ... hard worker and deadly shooter... in a 6'6" 215 frame.... DIBS if he's there for us.

Watch on YouTube

EDIT: 6'-11" wingspan!!!.... according to him.

This series has been such a great find, thanks for sharing!

LaMelo Ball... oh man, he does not come off well in his session. He was pretty incapable of talking about the game. He seems like a instinctive type of player who

Anthony Edwards is good energy but talks pretty openly about his game. He's got that hyperactive kid energy, which is pretty infectious. Seems pretty up to the challenge of identifying his flaws and improving them. Will be interesting to see how he pans out.

Watch on YouTube

[MagicFan101]

Was a great watch! Definitely like the kid even more. High IQ... hard worker and deadly shooter... in a 6'6" 215 frame.... DIBS if he's there for us.

Watch on YouTube

EDIT: 6'-11" wingspan!!!.... according to him.

That catch and shoot game would be nasty alongside a creative passer like Fultz. I would prefer a guard who could create for himself a bit more but outside the lottery I’m not complaining one bit if we end up with Nesmith.

[CoreyVillains]

Hey dudes, I’ve seen a lot of Lewis to the Magic talk on twitter so I thought I’d stop by with my Kira Lewis Jr prospect breakdown. 10 minute vid going through his strengths and weaknesses. I’m a huge Lewis fan, have him around 7th or 8th on my board. I get the defensive concerns but the kid has so many NBA skills that should translate seamlessly. I think he’d be a fun fit with your core and Isaac can cover some of his defensive weaknesses.

Watch on YouTube

[drsd]

Weltman said numerous times he wont use draft as a tool to balance roster.

And-1 !

Orlando is drafting BPA, and based on metrics relative to draft slot, said Magician will project as a rotational back-up.



Let's not get crazy here on expectations. Boom/bust or whatever, slotted at 14-18, Orlando will draft a player it expects is NBA capable.
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