Orlando Magic Draft Preview

4. Aaron Gordon, PF Arizona Fr. (6-9, 220)

The Magic surprised a lot of people by drafting Gordon ahead of Dante Exum, Julius Randle, and Noah Vonleh, but he really does fit their MO for drafting high-effort defensive minded players who are passionate about playing basketball, something GM Rob Hennigan has stated he looks for. Gordon is an elite athlete who should be able to guard multiple positions at a high level while also rebounding the ball well, scoring around the basket, and appearing on SportsCenter every night. Gordon has a lot to do on offense, particularly shooting, but he has terrific instincts and passing ability that will help him at least break even on that end. Gordon should be the starting power forward and play the bulk of the minutes there from day one in Orlando.

10. Elfrid Payton, PG Louisana-Lafayette Jr. (6-4, 185)

Payton is basically a lesser known version of Marcus Smart, a big point guard with top defensive ability, an ability to drive, draw fouls, and distribute, as well as a poor jumpshot. He's only 12 days older than Smart also. For Orlando, he's yet another gritty defender who plays his tail off on both ends of the court to go with Gordon and last years top pick Victor Oladipo. All three are defense first players (though Payton is a very good offensive player as well), so it will be up to the Magic to find some more young, offensive minded players to fill in the scoring gaps for this team down the line. While Jameer Nelson is still with the team, there is no need for him to be. Orlando needs to trade him or buy him out so Payton can play and develop as much as possible.

56. Roy Devyn Marble, SG Iowa Sr. (6-7, 192)

Marble is an excellent all-around basketball player who can do many things on the offensive end, including handle the ball, pass, and he even has a nice looking stroke, though the results aren't always what you'd like to see. Marble has nice size for a two guard and is a good athlete, what is really holding him back is a lack of any truly above-average skill. I think he could make the Magic (he is better than Doron Lamb) but unless his shooting improves, Marble will likely never become a consistent contributor.

Current Lineup

PG: Elfrid Payton/Jameer Nelson

SG: Victor Oladipo/Evan Founier/Roy Devyn Marble

SF: Tobias Harris/Maurice Harkless

PF: Aaron Gordon/Jason Maxiell/Andrew Nicholson

C: Nikola Vucevic/Kyle O'Quinn/Dewayne Dedmon

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NBA Draft: 5 Perfect Fits in the First Round

A big part of the success factor in the NBA draft is find the correct fit for both team and player, whether it be filling a need, utilizing a skillset, or putting the player in a position to maximize strengths and limit weaknesses. While there may be no "perfect" fits, there are several throughout the first round that would really benefit both player and team.

1. Aaron Gordon and the Sacramento Kings

Since drafting DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings have tried Jason Thompson, Thomas Robinson, and Patrick Patterson at the power forward position and never really found the right fit. While his offense still has a ways to go, Aaron Gordon of Arizona has a knack for doing everything else on the court. He is an excellent defender who can guard both forward positions, blocks shots, and create turnovers. While playing next to Cousins doesn't require a top rebounder, Gordon is also very good on the glass. Offensively, Gordon needs to develop his jumper to space the floor, but his ability to handle the ball, pass, and play unselfishly well help to mitigate that. And Cousins can handle more of the inside scoring load anyway, taking pressure off Gordon early in his career. Also, he is very good running the floor which fits nicely alongside Isaiah Thomas, Derrick Williams, and Ben McLemore. Gordon plays very hard on both ends and is willing to do the dirty work to help his team win. I honestly think he would help any team that drafts him, but the Kings are an especially nice fit.

2. Elfrid Payton and the Chicago Bulls

While most point to the Bulls lack of shooting as their biggest issue (it definitely is one), their main issue on offense is the lack of a shot-creator when Derrick Rose is unavailable. They simply lack players who can take the ball and create a shot for themselves or teammates. Louisiana-Lafayette's Elfrid Payton probably won't help the Bulls lack of shooting much, but his ability to penetrate, score, and pass are exactly what Chicago needs behind Rose, and even alongside him. Payton is also excellent at drawing fouls, (another area the Bulls are lacking in) he shot 293 free throws last season, 8.6 per game. Added to all that, Payton is one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft and averaged 2.3 steals a game. Whether Rose is healthy or not, the Bulls need playmakers and Payton is one of the best in the draft.

3. T.J. Warren and the Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks offense is built around bigs Al Horford and Paul Millsap and small guards Jeff Teague or Lou Williams, and shooters. However, they don't have any big wings who are really a threat to score on their own. North Carolina State's T.J. Warren is an unusual player, but an effective scorer. He doesn't shoot from deep very well instead he scores in transition, with floaters and flips around the basket, and by getting to the free throw line. This scoring ability at 6-8, 220 would give the Hawks a different diamension off the bench and provide a scoring punch when the 3s aren't falling, Warren may struggle defensively, which would limit him to a bench role, where he wouldn't have to guard the top opposing forwards.

4. Cleanthony Early and the Utah Jazz
With the number 5 overall pick, the Jazz will have a terrific opportunity to add to their already considerable young talent base. With that pick, they should take the best player available and not worry about needs. However, they also pick at again at 23, and depending on what they do at 5, they should target a wing player who can shoot for a couple of reasons: first of all, they were not good shooting from 3 last season, hitting on only .344% of their three pointers, good for 25th in the league. Secondly, the status of Gordon Heyward is up in the air and they don't have anyone to replace him or back him up. Also with a big man heavy offense (Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Julius Randle? Noah Vonleh?), and the more shooting they have to space the floor, the better. Wichita State's Cleanthony Early not only fits that need (.375% from 3 last season, great looking stroke) but he is very athletic (40' vertical) and at 6-8, has great size for a wing. As a 23 year-old college Senior, he should be able to contribute right away, albeit with limited upside. He also fits the Jazz' MO of taking proven college performers. 

5. Shabazz Napier and the Los Angeles Clippers

Darren Collison bounced back after some poor seasons and was great as a backup point guard for the Clippers, posting a 16.21 PER. However, he opted out of the last year of his deal and will almost certainly be signed out of the Clippers price range as a starter. If that is the case, the Clippers will be left with no other points on the roster next season. While they may look for a veteran backup, the cheaper option would be to draft one with their late first round pick and use that money to add quality depth to the font court. One of the reasons Collison was so effective is his uptempo style contrasted with Chris Paul's more deliberate pace and Collison could help carry the Clippers bench offense with his scoring and playmaking ability. Of the options available with the 28th pick, Shabazz Napier of Connecticut best fits the Collison role because he can push the tempo, and score in the halfcourt. With a ton of experience playing in at a high level in college, Napier should be more ready to contribute than the average late-first round point guard.

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