Orlando Magic: 2022 NBA Draft Team Needs and Targets

With the 2022 NBA Draft fast approaching, we're taking a look at what each lottery team needs to target with their draft selections, finishing with the Orlando Magic.

No Ceilings

Jun 16, 2022

Welcome back to our No Ceilings 2022 NBA Draft Lottery Team Series!

Over the last few weeks, we as a team dove deep into the needs and targets of each lottery squad.

We’ve reached the end and are closing out our 5-on-5 series with the Orlando Magic!

Let’s see where our opinions align and differ on what Orlando should do with the first overall pick!

1. What do you think is the Magic’s biggest weakness that NEEDS to be addressed on draft night?

Nathan: Offensive talent. Regardless of which of the top prospects Orlando drafts, they better be able to put the ball in the basket for a team that ranked near the very end of the league in that category.
Tyler Rucker: A building block. Regardless of what direction the Orlando Magic go at #1, they need to hit and find someone to build around. You don’t get #1 often, and making the correct selection here could shift the franchise for years to come. Yes, the Magic need help on the offensive side of the ball, but most importantly…you can’t miss here.
Tyler Metcalf: Efficient scoring and offensive versatility.
Nick: This Orlando Magic squad needs help on the offensive end in the worst way.
Albert: I think they need a number one guy. I like a lot of the pieces on this squad, and I love Franz Wagner as much as the next guy. They need a rock-solid number one option, though, and it looks like they may get that with this pick.
Alex: Similar to the Pacers, this team is in desperate need of a true #1 offensive scoring option
Evan: I think most of us are on the same page here with Orlando. They need someone to be the bona fide guy on the offensive end of the floor.
Maxwell: An elite scoring option.
Stephen: A top offensive option; a take-you-off-the-bounce threat.

2. Which position group would you target most for the Magic: Guards, Wings, Forwards, or Centers?

Nathan: Forwards. The same answer as with the previous teams, except in the Magic’s case, the choice is absolutely theirs in terms of which player to ultimately draft.
Tyler Rucker: Forwards/Bigs.
Tyler Metcalf: Forwards.
Nick: Forwards.
Albert: Forward/Wing.
Alex: Wings/Forwards.
Evan: Wings/Forwards.
Maxwell: Forwards.
Stephen: Forwards or Wings.

3. Is there any argument for the Magic to draft based on fit around a core group of players, or should “BPA” be in play at all times for Orlando on draft night?

Nathan: BPA. Too little talent to not just take who they see as the best player in this draft class.
Tyler Rucker: At this point, if the Magic drafted for “fit,” they might just take another point guard. Man, I wanted that joke to be so much better than it was.
Tyler Metcalf: If you draft for need with the first pick, you’re losing your job.
Nick: I’m struggling to come up with an argument for fit instead of BPA with the #1 overall pick. Even in the worst draft in the history of the NBA, you take the player who you think is the best player available when you’re sitting at the top of the draft.
Albert: You have the first pick in the draft for a reason. This isn’t a team loaded with high-end players. Taking BPA here is the only answer.
Alex: No surprise here; it’s BPA
Evan: BPA.
Maxwell: You have to go BPA at this stage in the rebuild.
Stephen: It isn’t a traditional fit philosophy I’d follow, but I wouldn’t go with the top player on my board either. Perhaps a modified-need/fit philosophy is what they should do.

4. Who are the Top 5 targets for the Magic to select with the 1st pick?

Nathan: Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, Paolo Banchero, Shaedon Sharpe, and Keegan Murray.
Tyler Rucker: Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, Paolo Banchero, Keegan Murray, and Jaden Ivey.
Tyler Metcalf: Chet Holmgren, Chet Holmgren, Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, and Paolo Banchero.
Nick: Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, Jabari Smith, Jaden Ivey, and Keegan Murray.
Albert: Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, Jabari Smith, Johnny Davis, and Jaden Ivey.
Alex: Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, Jaden Ivey, N/A.
Evan: Bennedict Mathurin, Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr., Jaden Ivey, and Paolo Banchero.
Maxwell: Jabari Smith Jr., Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivey, and Dyson Daniels.
Stephen: Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr., Shaedon Sharpe, and Bennedict Mathurin.

5. Who is an under-the-radar surprise target for the Magic?

Nathan: Shaedon Sharpe at #1 wouldn’t shock me as much as it might others, but it would still be one of those “WHAT’S HAPPENING???” moments on draft night. You watch the tape, see the workout film leaking, and evaluate Sharpe on his long-term ability to potentially lead the league in scoring down the road, and it’s not out of the question that the Magic see the same and take him first overall. Playoff teams have multiple incredibly talented shot makers on their rosters, and Sharpe could be one of those guys with the length and electric athleticism to match.
Tyler Rucker: I wish the Orlando Magic would just go up to the stage and say, “Hey, the Boston Celtics drafted Larry Bird a year early in 1978; can we just do the same thing with Victor Wembanyama?” Orlando is going to go with one of the Top-3…hopefully one of them will wear Mickey Mouse ears on stage.
Tyler Metcalf: Rumor has it that Jabari Smith is the pick here, but Jaden Ivey would make this a surprise. Some have him as the best player in this draft, or at least have made an argument for it, but taking him over the previously mentioned players would certainly set the draft on fire.
Nick: The only potential under-the-radar option I can think of here would be Shaedon Sharpe. If Orlando thinks he’s the best player in this draft class, though, I would be stunned if they just take Sharpe #1 overall and don’t trade back.
Albert: In my opinion, anyone other than Chet at this spot is a surprise for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love Paolo and Jabari, but they’re not on the same level as Chet, in my opinion. Chet is a level above both guys, and that makes him the obvious and only choice with the first pick. Many will disagree, But I don’t care because I know I’m right. Just not kidding.
Alex: I think the Magic trading the pick would be the most surprising. I don’t see any world that they don’t take any of the Top 3 (or Top 4 if you include Jaden Ivey), so trading the pick would be shocking to me. Outside of that, I think Jaden Ivey would be a big surprise to most people, but I have him in that top tier, so I see a case for it.
Evan: I’m going to be lame and leave this as blank. Frankly, I don’t really see any plausible answer for any prospect being a “surprise” selection for the Magic at #1 because I don’t believe at all that they’re taking anyone other than Banchero, Holmgren, or Smith Jr. come draft night. In my eyes, Orlando isn’t seriously considering anyone other than those three for the first overall selection.
Maxwell: Shaedon Sharpe. I wouldn’t do it, but if you buy that he ends up being able to playmake for others at a high level, it’s not unreasonable.
Stephen: Some people may say they wouldn’t be surprised if this happened, but Shaedon Sharpe going first in a class that was first considered to be a two-man race would be a shocking way to begin the draft. Consider that he didn’t even play at Kentucky and was initially believed to be a sure bet to return to school next season, and you have instant chaos for the most fun night in all of sports!