2023 NBA Draft Team Recap: Orlando Magic
A team with two lottery picks inherently makes for an interesting draft night and was even more so for a Magic team that already has young cornerstones like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
With their first selection at No. 6 overall, the Magic added yet another prospect that seems to fit in exactly with what they value. You will be hard pressed to find any NBA Draft analyst that didn’t have Anthony Black on their short list of highest feel players in this class.
There absolutely could be an argument about the amount of primary creators already on this roster but that is what makes Black so special.
While he is more than capable of playing on the ball and operating ball screens, he also showcased a knack for playing off the ball with his timely cuts and impact on the offensive boards.
Black also has underrated athleticism, 39 inch vertical at the combine, and put a ton of pressure on the rim in his freshman season at Arkansas which resulted in over five free throw attempts per game.
The 6-foot-7 guard/wing is also one of the better perimeter defenders in the class, which gives Jamahl Mosley a potential lockdown combination of Black, Wagner and 2021 No. 5 pick Jalen Suggs.
As with many prospects in this class, and quite a few at the top, the biggest question rests with his ability to knock down jump shots. Black shot just over 30% from behind the 3-point line and 70% from the free throw line. He will most likely carve out an NBA career regardless of the shot due to the other aspects of his game but for him to truly hit his ceiling the shot will have to develop.
The exact opposite could be said for the No. 11 overall pick, Jett Howard.
There is absolutely no denying the shot making ability of Howard. However, there are arguments he was not the best shooter in the class and perhaps if the Magic were looking for shot making they should have gone with Gradey Dick or Jordan Hawkins.
The 6-foot-8 wing showcased an ability to be effective in more playtypes than just catch-and-shoot situations by making shots running off screens and off the bounce.
Howard did operate plenty of pick-and-roll possessions and if this is something that is translatable it would be a huge addition to his offensive role but there is some nuance that will need to be added before being effective in the NBA.
Considering the versatility of everyone else on the roster, maybe the Magic truly only need Howard to do the above things but if it does become more than that he may struggle early on.
Even at his size he did not make a huge impact on the boards, 2.8 per game, or defensively with playmaking, 1.07 stocks per game.
Of course, the Magic are in a position to allow Howard to just knock down those shots while they wait for the rest of the 19-year-olds game to develop.
GM John Hammond has put together quite the roster of young talent and are a team to keep an eye on if they allow them to continue to slowly grow together or eventually consolidate some for a more veteran and proven talent.
The Orlando Magic have also added these players as of today:
- Tyger Campbell (Summer League)
- Dexter Dennis (Summer League)
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