Orlando Magic: 5 options for pick No. 6 in 2017 NBA Draft

4. De’Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky

College stats:  36 GP, 16.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.6 APG, 0.5 3’s, 1.5 STL, 0.2 BLK, 2.4 TOV, 47.8 FG%, 24.6 3PT%, 73.9 FT%

Another intriguing alternative for Orlando at No. 6 is Kentucky De’Aaron Fox, who’s arguably the most athletic point guard in the draft (though Smith and Markelle Fultz may have something to say about that).

Orlando Magic

I know what you may be thinking right now: Why would the Magic take another athletic point guard who can’t shoot, when they already have Payton on the roster? And that’s totally fair. After all, the poofy-haired floor general did close out the regular season in a strong way.

Over his final 18 games, Payton averaged 14.1 points, 9.1 assists and 7.1 rebounds while shooting 49.8 percent from the floor and boasting a positive plus/minus. No snark here, that’s impressive.

But he’s going to be a restricted free agent next summer. If he can maintain that form over a larger sample size, some team (probably the Brooklyn Nets, if we’re being honest) is going to offer him a pretty big contract.

Drafting Fox would provide Orlando some insurance, in case they don’t feel comfortable matching a potential Payton offer sheet. Moreover, there have been some whispers about how coveted the former Wildcat is as we approach draft night:

It’s starting to seem less and less likely Fox will even be available at No. 6. But if he is, the Magic would be shrewd to snatch him right up, despite need. Orlando is in no place to turn away talent to fill the weaker parts of their roster, and I’m sure Hammond and Weltman know that too.