Orlando Magic: 3 reasons for optimism with the sixth overall pick
By Luke Duffy
2. Low expectations
As it stands right now, the expectations of Magic fans haven’t been this low since Shaquille O’Neal skipped town a lifetime ago.
That is to say, even if the incoming pick can stay healthy and have some moments that show his potential in year one, both the fans and front office will be happy.
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
When lottery picks this decade have included Oladipo (underwhelming before developing into a star elsewhere), Payton (traded before rookie deal ended) and Isaac (injury issues), the bar is pretty low.
On top of that, Hezonja also has not been the player the team thought it was getting when he came over from Europe with the fifth pick in 2015 NBA Draft.
Had the team gotten the first pick, the pressure would have been on a Luka Doncic or Deandre Ayton to come in and work miracles overnight.
Although it would have been great to get the top pick to take one of those players to build around, it was always unlikely.
Instead the team can take another lottery pick and pair it with the two promising ones that they already have and continue to build before hopefully adding a free agent of note in future.
Also worth considering at this point: If the Magic flipped the sixth pick into a genuine asset, would the backlash be that strong?
It is the kind of bargaining chip they could use to see what is out there, whereas having a pick any higher and moving it might just force the fans to riot in protest.