5 realistic NBA Draft prospects the Magic could steal at No. 46

The 2026 NBA Draft officially tipped off inside Barclays Center on Tuesday. Though for the second-straight year, the Orlando Magic were without a first-round pick. They were one of eight without a first-round draft choice, possessing only the No. 46 pick in this week's two-day spectacle.

Obviously, it's much more difficult to "hit" on a player outside of the first-round, let alone outside the top-45. But in the aftermath of the first 30 choices being made, there is still some talent Orlando could pluck, depending on how the board falls from 30-40.

Who could be a few realistic candidates? Let's examine!

Emanuel Sharp, G, Houston:

Orlando Magic NBA Draft — Houston's Emanuel Sharp (21) celebrates during a second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Houston Cougars and Texas A&M Aggies at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday March 21, 2026. | SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Sharp immediately helps the Magic alleviate their biggest need: Shooting. The Houston guard shot a career 37.6 percent from 3-point range on north of five attempts per game. He's an excellent defender, is tough as nails (fitting seamlessly into Sean Sweeney's culture) and could be the perfect 3-and-D fit to slot alongside Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane and Franz Wagner. You want players like Sharp in your building, point blank.

Maliq Brown, C, Duke

I haven't previously talked about Brown's potential fit in Orlando. His offensive game remains quite raw without much upside, but hear me out. Could the Orlando Magic throw a dart at a high-energy big who rebounds, defends and does the little things, if either Goga Bitadze or Moe Wagner don't return? Perhaps Brown -- or a name like Tennessee's Felix Okpara -- is the answer to that question at a fraction of the cost.

Richie Saunders, G, BYU

I can already feel you glaring at your screen.

"Why should the Magic take a chance on a soon-to-be 25-year-old who is coming off a torn ACL? Don't they already deal with enough injuries? Argh.......!!!!"

Simply put, Saunders would be a fringe-top-25 or 30 prospect if he finished the season healthy. The BYU guard was a phenomenal second-fiddle alongside both Egor Demin and AJ Dybantsa pre-injury. We don't know what the medicals look like. But Saunders averaged 18.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals on 48.9/37.6/81.7 shooting splits. You can talk me into that.

Aaron Nkrumah, G, Tennessee State

Nkrumah is on the skinnier side, listed at 6-foot-7, 189 pounds. But Tennessee State's wing is a sneaky 3-and-D under-the-radar prospect who could see his name called Wednesday.

The 24-year-old was quite impressive in his combine scrimmages and features good length (6'10.25" wingspan, 8'8 standing reach) with intriguing two-way potential. He averaged 17.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and a remarkable 2.8 steals (!!) as a senior. He's skinny, but he's incredibly disruptive and worth considering in the middle of the second.

Ryan Conwell, G, Louisville

I think Conwell will be a much better shooter than his 34.5 percent indicated last season. He will function much better off-ball, where he can light it up from deep, attack closeouts and finish at the rim. He'll have to grow as a defender and playmaker. But as a microwave scorer off the bench, Conwell would fit with Orlando -- where he could also be covered up by some of the Magic's better defenders.

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