Five prospects the Orlando Magic might draft with the No. 5 pick
There wasn't quite as much magic in the draft lottery room last night as Orlando Magic fans would have liked, but at least Orlando didn't slide back in the draft proceedings. The Magic stayed locked in with the fifth overall pick, and now it's time to get to business.
Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo have the backcourt locked down for the foreseeable future in Orlando. But who will grow alongside them? And are the Magic focused on a small forward to complement their young dynamic duo?
1. Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia (7-0, 220 pounds)
Things didn't quite go according to plan with Channing Frye this season, but Orlando understands just how important a stretch-4 is in the modern NBA. Frye will be back next season, and the Magic are naturally hoping that he bounces back. But if he doesn't, Porzingis would be a solid replacement. Porzingis was scorching during Eurocup, shooting a blistering 45.9 percent from deep. He's not quite that good of a shooter, but his size and touch at the age of 19 has scouts drooling.
2. Justise Winslow, SF, Duke (6-6, 222 pounds)
This is the pick that should make Magic fans giddy. Winslow's offensive game is already close to NBA-polished; he can get to the rim seemingly at will, and he shot a torrid 41.8 percent on 3-pointers in one season as a Blue Devil. NBA teams will make him earn his points at the free-throw line, where he's struggled a bit, but Winslow's size and strength mean he has all of the tools to become a fantastic defensive counterpart to Victor Oladipo. Winslow rates out as a franchise cornerstone at worst, and the possibility of adding this Duke standout should entice any potential coaching hire in Orlando.
3. Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona (6-6, 242 pounds)
If Winslow is off the board when the Magic are up, Johnson would fit many of the same criteria as a match with Oladipo and Payton. Johnson is a better defender than Winslow at this point in their careers, although he's not quite the same outside shooter or scoring threat. Johnson's added bulk means he can slide over and guard power forwards in a pinch, as well. It's hard to see Orlando passing over Winslow for Johnson, but if the new Magic coach puts a premium on defense, it's not out of the question.
4. Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin (7-1, 230 pounds)
The fifth pick is a little high for Kaminsky, but he is an enticing prospect for the Magic. Like Porzingis, the former Badger would bring floor spacing at the power forward position, and Kaminsky brings the added benefit of above-average court vision and passing skills for a big guy. Kaminsky averaged 5.3 assists per 100 possessions his senior season with the Badgers. A frontline of Kaminsky and Vucevic would leave Orlando susceptible on defense, however.
5. Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky (7-0, 242 pounds)
On the surface, this would be an odd pick for the Magic, as WCS might struggle to find minutes behind Vucevic at center. But this would be a selection for the future, as there's no questioning Cauley-Stein's defensive prowess. Rim protection has been one of the biggest sticking points in Orlando with Vucevic in the middle, and Cauley-Stein would solve that issue. But his limited offensive game, which is essentially predicated on rim runs and putbacks, means it'd be nearly impossible to play the Wildcat big man alongside Vucevic. Perhaps the Magic could take Cauley-Stein with a trade in mind down the line.
(Statistical support courtesy of Sports-Reference and Draft Express)
Photo Credit: Jeremy Brevard/USA Today Sports
