The 2023 NBA Draft takes place on Thursday, June 22, as both rounds are wrapped up in one night. As it approaches, TGH will be taking a quick look some teams’ draft strategies, and shedding some light on what direction they will go with their picks.. Here is the Orlando Magic NBA Draft profile for 2023.
The Magic failed to make the postseason for the third consecutive year, as they posted a record of just 34-48. In the Southeast division, they finished ahead of just the Charlotte Hornets and were third-to-last in the Eastern Conference as well. They did accrue two top-15 picks, however, as the Bulls’ pick landed outside the top-10.
The Magic have three picks in the 2023 NBA Draft.
First Round (two picks):
Second Round (one pick):
Pick #6: Taylor Hendricks, F, UCF
Hendricks is rising up draft boards, even though he was already slated to go decently high. Here is a player who only has one real knock against him; He didn’t play against great competition in college. There is potential here for Hendricks to play the two, three or four depending on the size of the defense guarding him.
On the perimeter, he has the length to not only stop catch-and-shoot situations, but discourage cutting to the basket. There’s lots of hustle to be seen on his tape and he can also add to his plus/minus by hitting threes. This is a perfect pick to add some depth behind Banchero.
Pick #11: Gradey Dick, G/F, Kansas
If the Magic are looking to add some quick and easy points to the bench, Dick is a great pick-up with the 11th pick.
He’s a catch-and-shoot threat that excels beyond the three-point line. He’s also a sneaky-good passing threat if starts getting hot and draws in the defense. The defensive potential is there, as he’s a very willing defender around the arc, but it’s not always great. He’ll need to clean that up, but this is a can’t-miss grab for some offensive potential.
Pick #36: Marcus Sasser, G, Houston
An undersized guard that doesn’t absolutely excel passing the ball may sound like a strange draft pick, but there’s more to Sasser’s game than that.
He can cut to the basket well, albeit with a lack of true finishing ability because of his size. But this opens up the lane to feed the bigger guys on the low block with some short, efficient passing. He (like the two players above) is also a willing defender for a smaller guy. If teams try to play small against a lineup with Sasser in it, then he’ll grab some easy points with his ball-handling ability.
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