Current Roster
PG: Elfrid Payton/DJ Augustin/CJ Watson
SG: Evan Fournier/Terrence Ross/Marcus Georges-Hunt
SF: Jonathan Isaac/Wesley Iwundu/Mario Hezonja
PF: Aaron Gordon
C: Nikola Vucevic/Bismack Biyombo/Stephen Zimmerman
2017 Free Agents
Unrestricted
F Jeff Green
G Jodie Meeks
Restricted
F Damjam Rudez
Who They Drafted
1-6 Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF Florida State
2-33 Wesley Iwundu, SG/SF Kansas State
In Jonathan Isaac the Magic get potentially the best defensive player in the draft, a modern NBA defender that can guard easily on the wing as well as protect the rim like a big man. For the Magic, he will likely bounce between the forward spots with Aaron Gordon, playing more like a power forward on defense (due to his superior shot blocking skills) while manning the 3 offensively (due to his more consistent outside stroke and ball skills). Both Isaac and Gordon should be eminently switchable, giving Frank Vogel a lot of options for how to set up his defense, while offensively he will start out spacing the floor and attacking closeouts but could grow into a more versatile scorer in the future. Between Isaac, Gordon, Bismack Biyombo (if he bounces back) and Elfrid Payton, the Magic could start four big, long, versatile defenders and have an excellent defense. Isaac has the length and reach of a center and down the line it is not crazy to see him playing that position, especially as his body fills out. Effort and toughness are not questions for Isaac, so once he is stronger he should be able to handle the position. Offense for the Magic will be more of an issue, but that is okay, the Magic are rebuilding and this coming season should be about developing the players they have and instilling a culture of hard-work and defense. In the next couple of years, they can find a more dynamic scoring backcourt, just in time for Gordon and Isaac to be entering their prime years as players.
The Magic also took another long, versatile wing, this time in the form of Wesley Iwundu, who stands nearly 6-7 with an absurd 7-1 wingspan. Iwundu is a classic wing that can do a little bit of everything offensively, though he needs polish in all areas. At Kansas State, Iwundu played some point guard and has shown some ability as a passer and ball-handler, though is probably only ever a second or third option as a distributor, you can never have too many of those guys. As a shooter, he improved in his last season but it is an area that will require to become a consistent weapon. As with his offense, Iwundu's tools defensively are off the charts but he needs to work on becoming locked in at all times. For the Magic, who drafted him early in the second round, Iwundu will likely get only spot minutes starting out, but the Magic only have one natural small forward on the roster (Isaac) and even he might be better off playing power forward or center down the line, so Iwundu will get his chances to play this season. It would be and interesting experiment to play Iwundu and Evan Fournier in the backcourt, as both are able to play the point some, it is worth to see if two combo guards could be better than what the Magic are currently getting from Elfrid Payton.
What The Need Going Forward
The primary goal for the Magic this should be threefold:
1. Develop and evaluate their young players
Gordon and Isaac seem like keepers, but this is basically a make-or-break year for Elfrid Payton and Mario Hezonja, who have both been massive disappointments as top ten picks. Payton in particular needs to show something or his time in Orlando may be coming quickly to an end. Once the Magic know, one way or another on Payton and Hezonja that can move forward with the knowledge of what they will need in the future, be it point guard or scoring wing. Bismack Biyombo isn't a young NBA player anymore (or perhaps, never was...) but the Magic need to figure out if he can become the defender he had been previously (his defensive RPM dropped from 17th in the NBA in 2015-16 to 43rd among centers last season).
2. Acquire assets
The Magic are rebuilding and far from contention and so whatever they can sell off outside of Gordon and Isaac to bring back assets should be out the door, which leads to their last goal...
3. Clean up the mess
Former GM Rob Hennigan, his rear firmly entrenched on the hot seat, tried to accelerate Orlando's timeline last summer (a timeline which he himself slowed by poor decisions) and traded for Serge Ibaka, spent big on Biyombo, then brought in DJ Augustin and Jeff Green, not to mention the extension he previously gave to Nikola Vucevic. Green and Ibaka are already gone and Augustin should follow them as soon as possible, same story for Biyombo is he doesn't bounce back to his previous level defensively. Of course, the contracts they gave are so bad they may not be able to get rid of them easily, but they at least need to try. The same can be said for Vucevic, who is an inefficient scorer, terrible defender, and apparently a malcontent who refuses to come off the bench, he is doing more harm than good in Orlando at this point.
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Showing posts with label wesley iwundu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wesley iwundu. Show all posts
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
2017 NBA Draft: 5 Second Round Sleepers
Monte Morris, PG Iowa State (6-2½, 170) Age: 22
As a senior, Monte Morris posted an assist percentage over 30 (32%), a turnover percentage under 10 (7.5%), and a usage rate over 20 (22.8), benchmarks that only three players in NBA history playing more than a thousand minutes have reached, add in Morris' career three-point percentage of 38% and you get down to one player (Tracy McGrady). Obviously, that doesn't mean Monte Morris is going to be some NBA historical anomaly but it does show that he can handle and pass the ball a ton while turning the ball over very little. Morris is also a good three-point shooter and, despite his slight frame is a decent finisher (.659%) and two-point shooter (career .517%). With a 6-4 wingspan and good quickness but mediocre vertical explosiveness (33½ max vert), there are questions about how Morris will defend and finish at the NBA level and that is the reason he isn't a first round pick despite those special offensive numbers. However, as a backup point guard that can be relied upon to run a consistently productive second unit offense, Morris should have a lot of takers in the second round. Best Fit: Chicago Bulls, pick 38
Wesley Iwundu, SG/SF Kansas State (6-6¾, 193) Age: 22
A classic wing that can comfortable switch between the guard and forward positions, Wesley Iwundu has a lot going for him that modern NBA teams are looking for. The place to start with Iwundu is his physical tools: standing a shade under 6-7 and sporting a 7-1 wingspan, he has the size and elite length that give him numerous advantages on both ends of the court. Offensively, Iwundu has enough quickness and ball-handling to get to the rim quite frequently, something he did last season, shooting 43% of his shots at the rim, however he needs to improve as a finisher (.625%). While not a lead playmaker by any stretch, Iwundu has developed into a good and willing passer (.229 AST %). Pretty much a non-shooter before his Senior year, Iwundu made big strides in that area, making ,376% of his threes. This will be a key area for Iwundu to continue to improve at the NBA level, as with many prospects he may live and die by his jumper. Defensively, Iwundu needs to play tougher against bigger players but is still hard to deal with on that end do to his length and quickness. While Iwundu doesn't stand out in any one area, his ability to be average at many skills while having the size and length to comfortably play on the wing means he is a valuable commodity.
Best Fit: New Orleans Pelicans, pick 40
Tyler Dorsey, SG Oregon (6-4½, 183) Age: 21
As much as we are fascinated with other aspects of basketball, the single more important skill a player can have is to be able to create and make a basket. Tyler Dorsey can do that. Dorsey, much like the much more highly rated Malik Monk, excels at getting his won shot from a variety of places on the floor, though he prefers scoring from beyond the three-point line, taking over half of his shots from there last season (.514) and making them at a high rate (.423%). Though he is excellent as a catch and shoot player, Dorsey also does a good job creating space to get his shot up through step-backs and quick dribble moves. For three-point focused player, Dorsey was fair from two-point range (.513%) though his lack of great physical tools will likely mean he struggles at the rim, if he can get there. Dorsey's shot making (which has shown the ability to do on the big stage) will need to be backed up by some other skills, be it ball-handling or defense, that allows his to stay on the floor. His size says he defends point guards, but that is not a position he can play on offense, therefore he might fit best alongside another playmaker that doesn't play point guard, allowing him to guard point guards but play off the ball on offense.
Best Fit: Philadelphia 76ers, pick 46
Sterling Brown, SG/SF SMU (6-5, 225) Age: 22
Switching has become the new in-vogue NBA defense (and for good reason, it works) but the supply of players that are actually able to switch onto bigger or smaller players hasn't quite met the demand yet. Enter Sterling Brown (brother of former NBAer Shannon Brown) who the size, strength, and length to guard a number of positions defensively. With a 6-9½ wingspan, very good feet, lateral quickness, and a toughness to go up against bigger players both defending in the post and on the glass. Brown appears to be a player who can guard 1-4 on switches and even play some small ball power forward himself. Offensively, Brown's best skill is his jumper, which he has converted at a .451% rate over 284 career attempts. He is also a solid ball-mover and not a selfish player with a good IQ on the court. The rest of his offensive game, particularly off the dribble, isn't very advanced, but that isn't what you draft him for, you draft him as a versatile 3-and-D wing that can guard and play multiple positions. Think PJ Tucker but a better shooter.
Best Fit: Phoenix Suns, pick 32
Cameron Oliver, PF/C Nevada (6-8¼, 239) Age: 20
The first thing about Cameron Oliver that stands out is his physical frame, which looks exactly as a NBA power forward should, with the strength and length (7-1+ wingspan) to hold his own against the biggest NBA bodies. Oliver is also a explosive leaper, measuring a 39½ inch max vertical leap, a tremendous number for a player his size. Offensively, Oliver has flashed quite a bit of ability as a shooter, making .384% of 172 attempts from deep last season. His physical gifts also makes him a serious threat around the rim on lobs and putbacks. Defensively and on the glass, again his tools give Oliver a lot of potential and he was productive at Nevada (10.9 rebounds, 3.3 blocks per 40). So why isn't Oliver considered a lock first rounder? Well he is still a raw player that needs seasoning as far as his on court IQ is concerned to maximize his potential and his overall game just needs more polish. Due to this, Oliver is more of a project than many teams want to deal with to deal with, however based on the skills he has flashed and the physical upside, a smart team will be patient and season him in the G-League and reap the rewards.
Best Fit: Sacramento Kings, pick 34
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As a senior, Monte Morris posted an assist percentage over 30 (32%), a turnover percentage under 10 (7.5%), and a usage rate over 20 (22.8), benchmarks that only three players in NBA history playing more than a thousand minutes have reached, add in Morris' career three-point percentage of 38% and you get down to one player (Tracy McGrady). Obviously, that doesn't mean Monte Morris is going to be some NBA historical anomaly but it does show that he can handle and pass the ball a ton while turning the ball over very little. Morris is also a good three-point shooter and, despite his slight frame is a decent finisher (.659%) and two-point shooter (career .517%). With a 6-4 wingspan and good quickness but mediocre vertical explosiveness (33½ max vert), there are questions about how Morris will defend and finish at the NBA level and that is the reason he isn't a first round pick despite those special offensive numbers. However, as a backup point guard that can be relied upon to run a consistently productive second unit offense, Morris should have a lot of takers in the second round. Best Fit: Chicago Bulls, pick 38
Wesley Iwundu, SG/SF Kansas State (6-6¾, 193) Age: 22
A classic wing that can comfortable switch between the guard and forward positions, Wesley Iwundu has a lot going for him that modern NBA teams are looking for. The place to start with Iwundu is his physical tools: standing a shade under 6-7 and sporting a 7-1 wingspan, he has the size and elite length that give him numerous advantages on both ends of the court. Offensively, Iwundu has enough quickness and ball-handling to get to the rim quite frequently, something he did last season, shooting 43% of his shots at the rim, however he needs to improve as a finisher (.625%). While not a lead playmaker by any stretch, Iwundu has developed into a good and willing passer (.229 AST %). Pretty much a non-shooter before his Senior year, Iwundu made big strides in that area, making ,376% of his threes. This will be a key area for Iwundu to continue to improve at the NBA level, as with many prospects he may live and die by his jumper. Defensively, Iwundu needs to play tougher against bigger players but is still hard to deal with on that end do to his length and quickness. While Iwundu doesn't stand out in any one area, his ability to be average at many skills while having the size and length to comfortably play on the wing means he is a valuable commodity.
Best Fit: New Orleans Pelicans, pick 40
Tyler Dorsey, SG Oregon (6-4½, 183) Age: 21
As much as we are fascinated with other aspects of basketball, the single more important skill a player can have is to be able to create and make a basket. Tyler Dorsey can do that. Dorsey, much like the much more highly rated Malik Monk, excels at getting his won shot from a variety of places on the floor, though he prefers scoring from beyond the three-point line, taking over half of his shots from there last season (.514) and making them at a high rate (.423%). Though he is excellent as a catch and shoot player, Dorsey also does a good job creating space to get his shot up through step-backs and quick dribble moves. For three-point focused player, Dorsey was fair from two-point range (.513%) though his lack of great physical tools will likely mean he struggles at the rim, if he can get there. Dorsey's shot making (which has shown the ability to do on the big stage) will need to be backed up by some other skills, be it ball-handling or defense, that allows his to stay on the floor. His size says he defends point guards, but that is not a position he can play on offense, therefore he might fit best alongside another playmaker that doesn't play point guard, allowing him to guard point guards but play off the ball on offense.
Best Fit: Philadelphia 76ers, pick 46
Sterling Brown, SG/SF SMU (6-5, 225) Age: 22
Switching has become the new in-vogue NBA defense (and for good reason, it works) but the supply of players that are actually able to switch onto bigger or smaller players hasn't quite met the demand yet. Enter Sterling Brown (brother of former NBAer Shannon Brown) who the size, strength, and length to guard a number of positions defensively. With a 6-9½ wingspan, very good feet, lateral quickness, and a toughness to go up against bigger players both defending in the post and on the glass. Brown appears to be a player who can guard 1-4 on switches and even play some small ball power forward himself. Offensively, Brown's best skill is his jumper, which he has converted at a .451% rate over 284 career attempts. He is also a solid ball-mover and not a selfish player with a good IQ on the court. The rest of his offensive game, particularly off the dribble, isn't very advanced, but that isn't what you draft him for, you draft him as a versatile 3-and-D wing that can guard and play multiple positions. Think PJ Tucker but a better shooter.
Best Fit: Phoenix Suns, pick 32
Cameron Oliver, PF/C Nevada (6-8¼, 239) Age: 20
The first thing about Cameron Oliver that stands out is his physical frame, which looks exactly as a NBA power forward should, with the strength and length (7-1+ wingspan) to hold his own against the biggest NBA bodies. Oliver is also a explosive leaper, measuring a 39½ inch max vertical leap, a tremendous number for a player his size. Offensively, Oliver has flashed quite a bit of ability as a shooter, making .384% of 172 attempts from deep last season. His physical gifts also makes him a serious threat around the rim on lobs and putbacks. Defensively and on the glass, again his tools give Oliver a lot of potential and he was productive at Nevada (10.9 rebounds, 3.3 blocks per 40). So why isn't Oliver considered a lock first rounder? Well he is still a raw player that needs seasoning as far as his on court IQ is concerned to maximize his potential and his overall game just needs more polish. Due to this, Oliver is more of a project than many teams want to deal with to deal with, however based on the skills he has flashed and the physical upside, a smart team will be patient and season him in the G-League and reap the rewards.
Best Fit: Sacramento Kings, pick 34
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