Orlando Magic
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Aaron Gordon (Arizona) poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number four overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Orlando Magic have had their fair share of failures in the NBA Draft. Today, however, we will focus on some of the best selections in the history of the franchise.
The Orlando Magic finished the 2016-17 campaign with an abysmal 29-53 record. On top of that, this was the fifth straight year in which they failed to qualify for the postseason.
To add insult on top injury, let's also throw in the fact the team has not won more than 35 games in any season during that stretch.
With another lost season under its belt, the front office is hoping to improve the roster with the sixth overall pick in the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft. The other side of this story is the Magic have not always done well in the draft.
For example, does the name Fran Vasquez ring a bell? It wouldn't surprise me if this name doesn't sound familiar.
You see, the Magic took him with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. Much to the team's chagrin, Vasquez decided to remain in Europe and eventually signed a four-year deal with a team in Spain.
Another instance in which the Magic made a not-so-great choice took place in 2003. That year, the team selected Reece Gaines with the 15th overall pick. He played 71 games in his lone season for the Magic and averaged a whopping 1.8 points and 1.0 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per contest.
The Magic have had their fair share of misses in the draft. However, in spite of the doom-and-gloom narrative, the team has also had a few success stories in the draft as well. Although they were not easy to find, here is a look back at a few of the notable draft selections in franchise history.
10. Michael Doleac (C) — No. 12 pick in 1998 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Magic): 207 GP, 6.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 0.7 TOV, 44.2 FG%, 78.6 FT%
The Magic had three first round selections entering the 1998 NBA Draft. With the 12th overall pick, they took Michael Doleac.
Doleac spent three years with the Magic, with his most successful season taking place in 1999-00. During that season, he averaged a career-best 7.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
Yes, you read that correctly. Those numbers are a career-best for a guy that was taken at the No. 12 spot.
Following his three-year stint in Orlando, Doleac went on to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Although Doleac was a lottery pick, his production didn't quite live up to the expectations that come with being taken that early in the draft. But despite the fact he was never a great scorer (4.9 PPG) or rebounder (3.3 RPG), he did manage to stay in the league for 10 seasons and he was a member of the Heat roster that won it all back in 2006.
Feb 11, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Former Georgia Tech basketball player Matt Harpring is honored in the first half of their game against the Boston College Eagles at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
9. Matt Harpring (SF) — No. 15 pick in 1998 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Magic): 54 GP, 7.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 1.4 TOV, 45.1 FG%, 44.4 3P%, 72.0 FT%
The Magic selected Matt Harpring with the 15th overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, his time as a member of the Magic lasted just two seasons.
Harpring appeared in all 50 games of the lockout-shortened 1998-99 campaign and compiled averages of 8.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. He shot 46 percent from the field overall and 40 percent from three-point range. Along with that, he was named to the All-Rookie First Team.
That is where the good times ended for Harpring. Just four games into his sophomore campaign; he tore a tendon in his left ankle and had to miss the remainder of the season. When Orlando signed Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill the following offseason, Harpring was deemed as expendable and was dealt to the Cavaliers.
Harpring went on to play for three other teams, including the Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz. Although an injury robbed him of the opportunity to showcase his full potential with the Magic, Harpring proved that he was a productive player, as he was a double digit scorer for all of the teams he played for after leaving Orlando.
This includes a seven-year stint with the Jazz in which he averaged 11.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per outing.
Nov 9, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick (4) reacts after making a shot against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Clippers won 94-92. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
8. J.J. Redick (PG/SG) — No. 11 pick in 2006 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Magic): 396 GP, 9.2 PPG, 1.9 APG, 1.8 RPG, 0.4 SPG, 1.0 TOV, 43.2 FG%, 39.8 3P%, 87.8 FT%
After posting scoring averages of 15 and 16 points per contest during his first two seasons at Duke, J.J. Redick became a household name over the next couple of years. During his junior season, Redick averaged 21.8 points per contest en route to winning the ACC Player of the Year award.
His senior season was even better as he increased his scoring output to 26.8 points per contest on slash lines of .470/.421/.863, earning him National Player of the Year honors. At least on paper, Redick was just what the Magic were looking for when they selected him with the 11th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned for Redick upon joining the Magic. Not only did injuries and inconsistent play limit his time on the court, it also took five years before Redick became a double-digit scorer.
This wasn't what Orlando had hoped following a solid finish to his collegiate career.
All in all, Redick averaged 9.2 points per game in seven seasons with the Magic. Ironically, his best season took place during his last year with the team (2012-13). During that 50-game stretch, Redick averaged 15.1 points per contest before he was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks prior to the trade deadline.
Oct 16, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Mike Miller (3) walks on the court during the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 106-81. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
7. Mike Miller (SF) — No. 5 pick in 2000 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Magic): 194 GP, 14.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 1.6 TOV, 43.1 FG%, 38.0 3P%, 77.6 FT%
Back in 1993, the Magic took Chris Webber at the No. 1 spot and subsequently dealt the former Michigan standout to Orlando for the rights to Anfernee Hardaway and a trio of first-round draft picks (that draft-day trade is why neither one makes the list, since Penny wasn't technically drafted by the team and Webber never played for the Magic).
One of those first-round selections turned out to be Mike Miller, who the Magic selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft. With two wing players in their prime in Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill, Miller was supposed to serve as a backup to Hill during his rookie season.
However, ankle injuries limited Hill to just four games that year and Miller was inserted into the rotation sooner than expected. Despite an increased role being thrown his way, Miller held his own.
In his first season with the Magic, he posted averages of 11.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest while converting 41 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.
In addition to being named Rookie of the Year, Miller averaged 14.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest on 38 percent shooting from distance as a member of the Magic, and increased his scoring output in each of his three seasons before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2003.
Mar 27, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) during their game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Magic 131-112. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
6. Aaron Gordon (PF/SF) — No. 4 pick in 2014 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Magic): 205 GP, 9.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 0.9 TOV, 46.0 FG%, 28.9 3P%, 69.9 FT%
Coming off a season in which they won just 23 games, the Magic were hoping to turn their fortunes around sooner rather than later. With the fourth overall pick in 2014 NBA Draft, they selected Aaron Gordon from the University of Arizona.
During his lone season with the Wildcats, Gordon averaged 12.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per contest. In the eyes of some of the experts, Gordon was considered a solid defender that excelled in transition.
One of the knocks on Gordon is that he needs to develop a jump shot. This sentiment is supported by the fact that he is currently shooting just 29 percent from three-point range. But while he may never be a legitimate floor-spacer, Gordon has improved each year he has been in the league.
After averaging 5.2 and 9.2 points, respectively, during his first two NBA seasons, the former Wildcat increased his scoring average to 12.7 points per contest while shooting a respectable 45 percent from the field.
As long as he continues to improve at both ends of the floor, chances are he will be part of a young core that could help the Magic approach respectability once again in the Eastern Conference.
Apr 16, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5) dribbles the ball during the second quarter as Houston Rockets guard Lou Williams (12) defends in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
5. Victor Oladipo (PG/SG) — No. 2 pick in 2013 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Magic): 224 GP, 15.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 2.5 TOV, 43.1 FG%, 33.9 3P%, 80.8 FT%
With Dwight Howard forcing a trade the year before – combined with a season in which they won a league-worst 20 games – things weren't looking too good for a Magic squad that had gone to the playoffs for six straight seasons, including an NBA Finals appearance in 2009.
In an effort to rebuild a roster that had lost yet another marquee big man, the Magic selected Victor Oladipo from the University of Indiana with the second overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Although Oladipo had developed a reputation as a defensive specialist, what caught the eye of the Magic was the fact that he shot an efficient 44 percent from beyond the arc — which was a considerable jump from the 21 percent conversion rate he posted the year before.
The good news is Oladipo was a solid contributor during his stint with the Magic. In three seasons, he averaged 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per contest on 44 percent shooting overall and 35 percent from deep.
On the flip side of the coin, the Magic won just 83 games during those three seasons and they eventually shipped Oladipo, along with Ersan Ilyasova and the rights to the 11th overall pick (Domantas Sabonis) to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In his first season with OKC, Oladipo's numbers remained consistent for the most part, as he averaged 15.9 points 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest.
4. Dennis Scott (SG/SF) — No. 4 pick in 1990 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Magic): 446 GP, 14.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 1.4 TOV, 42.2 FG%, 40.3 3P%, 78.9 FT%
Dennis Scott had a solid career during his three years at Georgia Tech. Not only was he coming off a junior season in which he averaged 27.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest, but he also converted 42 percent of his attempts from three-point range, earning him the nickname 3-D.
Following a dismal 18-64 inaugural season, the Magic selected Scott with the fourth overall pick in the 1990 NBA Draft. From day one, it was obvious Orlando had made the right choice. During his first NBA season, Scott averaged 15.9 points per contest while converting 38 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc and was named to the All-Rookie First Team.
During his seven-year tenure with the Magic, Scott held averages of 14.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. His most notable moments took place in 1990-91 and 1995-96. In those two seasons, Scott averaged 19.9 and 17.5 points per contest, respectively.
It is also worth noting that Scott shot 44 percent from distance (in1995 and 1996) and led the league with 267 three-pointers during the 1995-96 campaign.
Although his numbers dipped somewhat once O'Neal and Anfernee Hardaway were added to the mix, Scott was a stretch-forward during an era in which the position was relatively new to the league.
3. Nick Anderson (SG) — No. 11 pick in 1989 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Magic): 692 GP, 15.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 1.8 TOV, 45.4 FG%, 36.3 3P%, 67.3 FT%
With the first pick in franchise history, the Orlando Magic took Nick Anderson at the No. 11 spot in the 1989 NBA Draft — much to the relief of former head coach Matt Guokas, who had doubts that Anderson would still be on the board.
"We're ecstatic,'" Guokas said via UPI.com. "Nick's got a terrific body and is a strong rebounder with a scorer's mentality. We felt he would be gone by the 11th pick. You can't believe how we were holding our breath."
As it turned out, there was a lot to be excited about as Anderson became a fixture on the roster for a decade. During that stretch, he posted averages of 15.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 32 minutes per outing.
Anderson was a double-digit scorer in each of his 10 seasons in Orlando, with his most productive years occurring in 1991-92 and 1992-93. In those two seasons, he averaged over 19 points and six rebounds per contest.
As was the case with Scott, Anderson's role was reduced somewhat with the arrival of Penny and Shaq. While his last season in Orlando was 18 years ago, Anderson still leads the team in several categories, including field goals made (4,075), field goals attempted (8,976), steals (1,004) and games played (692), per Basketball-Reference.
That being said, it is only fitting that he was considered the best player on the roster during the team's early years in the NBA.
Jan 10, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) reacts to fans during second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. The Hawks won 117-97. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
2. Dwight Howard (C) — No. 1 pick in 2004 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Magic): 621 GP, 18.4 PPG, 13.0 RPG, 2.2 BPG, 1.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.1 TOV 57.7 FG%, 58.8 FT%
With the top overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, the Magic selected Dwight Howard from Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. This was just the third time in NBA history in which a player was selected with the first overall pick directly out of high school. The other two instances were LeBron James in 2003 and Kwame Brown in 2001.
Although he averaged a double-double during his rookie campaign (12.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per contest), Howard was not considered a household name just yet. But following a sophomore season that saw him post averages of 15.8 points and 12.5 boards per outing, it was clear the Magic had landed another franchise center.
In fact, over the next six seasons, Howard never averaged less than 17 points and 12 rebounds per contest. Additionally, Howard is the franchise leader in points (11,435), rebounds (8,072) and blocks (1,344).
Like the first franchise center that came before him, Howard also led the Magic to an NBA Finals appearance in 2009. Unfortunately, they fell to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
While Howard will be remembered for the drama he created by forcing the Magic to eventually trade him, he gave the fans plenty to cheer about. During his eight seasons in a Magic uniform, Howard averaged 18.4 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per contest on 58 percent shooting.
Sep 09, 2016; Springfield, MA, USA; Shaquille O'Neal speaks at the Springfield Symphony Hall during the 2016 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
1. Shaquille O'Neal (C) — No. 1 pick in 1992 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Magic): 295 GP, 27.2 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 2.8 BPG, 2.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 3.0 TOV, 58.1 FG%, 54.6 FT%
The Magic didn't have much success during their first three seasons in the NBA. In fact, they won a total of just 80 games during that stretch.
In need of a game-changer, the Magic selected Shaquille O'Neal with the top overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft.
While O'Neal's presence wasn't enough to catapult the Magic into the playoffs, things were finally starting to look up for a franchise that didn't have much success prior to his arrival.
During his rookie campaign, Shaq posted averages of 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per outing en route to being named Rookie of the Year and earning a spot on the All-Rookie First Team.
The Magic eventually became a conference powerhouse, making it to the playoffs in each of the next three seasons. This includes a Final appearance in 1995. During his four years in Orlando, O'Neal averages included 27.2 points (on an efficient 58 percent shooting), 12.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per outing.
In spite of the success the team was enjoying, the organization and its franchise center were unable to reach a long-term deal. As a result, O'Neal eventually signed with the Lakers in the summer of 1996.
Alongside with Bryant, the duo led the Lakers to three consecutive championships from 2000-02.
From the moment he put on a Magic uniform, O'Neal was an unstoppable force as the numbers indicate. Furthermore, not only is O'Neal the franchise's top draft pick, he also deserves to be considered one of the greatest big men to ever play the game.
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