Orlando Magic: A look back at NBA Draft history before 2018
After a less than successful season, the Orlando Magic have the sixth, 35th and 41st pick in the 2018 NBA Draft to help them reload for next season.
In the 2018 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic are probably experiencing a case of déjà vu. In 2017 they had the sixth pick, selecting Jonathan Isaac with it. The 6’10” power forward out of Florida State would only play 27 games thanks to injury.
In 2018, the Magic have the sixth overall pick again. This is only the second time in the history of the franchise they have had this pick. However, this is not the only repeat of this draft. Last season the Magic also had the 35 pick in the draft. With this selection they took Ivan Rabb.
The Magic then traded Rabb to the Memphis Grizzlies for a second round pick. This translated to the 41st pick in this draft, which is the same second round pick the Magic had in 2016.
However, none of these picks have been overly successful for the Magic. As stated earlier, Isaac had an injury-riddled rookie season. He averaged 5.4 points and 3.7 rebounds for the season. Rabb did not play a single game for the Magic.
The 41st pick in 2016 was 7’0″ center Stephen Zimmerman out of UNLV. Zimmerman would only play 19 games, averaging 1.8 rebounds and 1.2 points per game. He would be waived prior to the 2017 free agency period. The only other time the Magic had the 41st pick came in 2006, when they took James Augustine, who played a grand total of 27 NBA games.
However, the Orlando Magic have had some success with previous drafts.
Drafted players with the team
Along with Isaac, the Orlando Magic still have two other players on the roster who were drafted by the franchise. In 2014 the Magic used the fourth overall pick to select Aaron Gordon out of Arizona. The 6’9″ combo forward is developing into a franchise player the Magic need to re-sign this summer.
Last season Gordon averaged 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He is well known for playing above the rim and was the Slam Dunk Contest winner at the 2016 All-Star Game. However, this season Gordon developed an outside game, which makes him even more dangerous moving forward.
In 2015, the Magic used the fifth overall pick to select Mario Hezonja from Croatia. Lottery picks from Europe have been hit-or-miss over the years. Dirk Nowitzki and Kristaps Porzingis are obvious success stories. Hezonja has yet to show he’s worthy of being a top-five pick.
In his career, Hezonja has averaged 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. These aren’t numbers that are going to move the Magi back into the playoffs.
Drafted players still in the league
The Magic have had a good record of drafting players, as there are still many Magic draft picks still playing in the league dating back to 2003. That draft gave us Zaza Pachulia with the 42nd pick. In 2004, Dwight Howard was taken with the No. 1 pick, becoming one of the best centers of this generation.
The Magic then had some success with guards. In 2006 they selected J.J. Redick with the 11th pick. He has since become an incredible outside shooter. Then in 2008, the Magic selected Courtney Lee with the 22nd pick.
Other current players drafted by the Magic this decade are Kyle O’Quinn (2012), Victor Oladipo (2013), Dario Saric (2014) and Domantas Sabonis (2016). The only problem for Orlando has been retaining and developing the talent of the players it drafts.
History by the numbers
The No. 6 pick in the draft has yielded some tremendous players over the years. Some of these include Red Kerr (1954), Lenny Wilkens (1960), Fred Brown (1971), Lionel Hollins (1975), Adrian Dantley (1976), Larry Bird (1978), Orlando Woolridge (1981), Kenny Smith (1987), Hersey Hawkins (1988) and Antoine Walker (1996). From the turn of the century, some of the best picks at No. 6 have been Shane Battier (2001), Brandon Roy (2006), Danilo Gallinari (2008), Damian Lillard (2012), Marcus Smart (2014), Willie Cauley-Stein (2015) and Buddy Hield (2016).
There have been some absolute gems taken with the 35th pick in the draft. Some of these players are Rick Mahorn (1980), Derek Smith (1982), Carlos Boozer (2002), P.J. Tucker (2006), Glen Davis (2007), DeAndre Jordan (2008) and Draymond Green (2010).
The 41st pick has not been as fruitful but some quality can still be found. Some of these players are Otis Smith (1986), Cuttino Mobley (1998), Jodie Meeks (2009) and Nikola Jokic (2014).
Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft - Doncic still No. 1 in post-lottery edition
Let’s hope the Orlando Magic can draft some players such as these to end their playoff drought which has extended since 2012, the third-longest current streak in the NBA.