Orlando Magic: 5 options for pick No. 33 in 2017 NBA Draft
3. Tyler Lydon, PF, Syracuse
If Tyler Lydon is still available when the Magic are on the clock at 33, he will be difficult to pass over. The Syracuse big man is the exact type of player that Orlando is currently lacking on its roster.
Taking a look at the depth in the frontcourt and there are some good players. Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo are both solid. Aaron Gordon has a high ceiling. But, none of them can stretch the floor and shoot the ball from the perimeter; that is Lydon’s strength.
Lydon is exactly what a team is looking for in a stretch-4. He has range beyond the three-point line and would immediately find minutes in the Magic rotation. While shooting is his best trait, he is also capable of scoring off the bounce.
While Lydon isn’t a great defender, he is a good rim protector. His great burst and athleticism help in that area. He is also a very good rebounder, as he averaged 8.6 per game last season. Lydon would provide the Magic with good versatility, as he could play small forward, power forward and even center in some instances; he did it for stretches at Syracuse last season in the middle of their zone.
Lydon would be an excellent selection for the Magic if he slips. He has been mocked in the first round a few times, so there is a chance that he isn’t there when the Magic are picking. But, if he is, the Magic should seriously consider pulling the trigger on him.