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Orlando Magic: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

By James D. Tillman III

Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Aaron Gordon (Arizona) poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number four overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Aaron Gordon (Arizona) poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number four overall pick to the Orlando Magic in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 10, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) reacts to fans during second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. The Hawks won 117-97. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) reacts to fans during second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. The Hawks won 117-97. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Dwight Howard (C) — No. 1 pick in 2004 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Magic):  621 GP, 18.4 PPG, 13.0 RPG, 2.2 BPG, 1.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.1 TOV 57.7 FG%, 58.8 FT%

With the top overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, the Magic selected Dwight Howard from Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. This was just the third time in NBA history in which a player was selected with the first overall pick directly out of high school. The other two instances were LeBron James in 2003 and Kwame Brown in 2001.

Although he averaged a double-double during his rookie campaign (12.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per contest), Howard was not considered a household name just yet. But following a sophomore season that saw him post averages of 15.8 points and 12.5 boards per outing, it was clear the Magic had landed another franchise center.

In fact, over the next six seasons, Howard never averaged less than 17 points and 12 rebounds per contest. Additionally, Howard is the franchise leader in points (11,435), rebounds (8,072) and blocks (1,344).

Like the first franchise center that came before him, Howard also led the Magic to an NBA Finals appearance in 2009. Unfortunately, they fell to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.

While Howard will be remembered for the drama he created by forcing the Magic to eventually trade him, he gave the fans plenty to cheer about. During his eight seasons in a Magic uniform, Howard averaged 18.4 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per contest on 58 percent shooting.

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