Magic Rookie Jett Howard Role Revealed?
The Orlando Magic's rebuild is beginning to take shape.
After selecting forward Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 overall pick in 2022, this team witnessed a 12-win increase from the year prior - the best in the Eastern Conference - and a 34-48 record overall.
And despite missing the postseason for the third consecutive year, the steps the franchise is making is apparent in this years draft choices.
After selecting Arkansas guard Anthony Black No. 6 overall, the Magic stuck with backcourt at No. 11 but opted for somebody capable in playing off-ball in Michigan's Jett Howard.
"Howard will play a spot-up-heavy role, providing off-ball scoring with his standstill and movement shooting," Bleacher Report writes. "He just might not have many chances to create with Orlando's handful of guards and the offense running through Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner."
And that ability to be a knockdown threat from three is exactly what this team was missing last season. But by adding Howard, who converted on 36.8 percent of his attempts from long-range at Michigan, it should improve one of the league's worst shooting teams from a year ago.
That scoring display was on display in Las Vegas Summer League from Howard, including a 22-point performance against the New York Knicks, including knocking down four of eight attempts from distance.
And if that ability can translate to the regular season, this Magic rebuild could be coming to an end shortly.
You can follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.
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