Orlando Magic: 5 options for pick No. 6 in 2018 NBA Draft
3. Luka Doncic
It’s not likely that Luka Doncic will be available for the Magic when they are on the clock, but it doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a great option if he is still on the board. Doncic offers the Magic a little bit of everything they should be coveting in this draft: experience (three years of professional basketball at age 19), shot creation for himself and the ability to make his teammates better.
The Slovenian is averaging 14.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals in just 24.9 minutes per game playing for Real Madrid. These numbers don’t blow you away, but that’s high level production in that amount of court time while playing in the second-most competitive league in the world, Liga ACB in Spain.
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He’s the best passer in this draft by a wide margin and has a knack for getting to the foul line. Doncic processes the game at an extremely quick rate, often finding himself one step ahead of the defense.
His athleticism is the main question as to how he will translate to the NBA. Doncic can create in Europe, but the uptick in terms of opponents’ athleticism will be interesting to see. Defensively, he is large enough to avoid point guards, but he’ll be switched onto them at some points during games. His ability to create against supreme athletes and guard them on the other end are the only aspects of his game people seem to pick apart.
If he falls to the Magic, I don’t expect them to take long turning in their draft pick. He fits with their roster, performs in the clutch and has a calming, veteran presence at 19 years old that will translate perfectly with this franchise.