Orlando Magic: Complete 2018 offseason grades for draft and free agency

Orlando Magic: Complete 2018 offseason grades

Orlando Magic president Jeff Weltman, second from left, and head coach Steve Clifford, second from right, stand with the newest draft picks during a news conference at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, June 22, 2018. Melvin Frazier (35), Mo Bamba (5), and Justin Jackson (23) were selected in the NBA Draft Thursday night. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Trading for Jarell Martin

Jarell Martin was a teen phenom who, now 24 years old, hasn’t quite found his niche on the pro level. He was a McDonald’s All-American and an All-SEC performer at LSU, but in his first three NBA seasons (with the Memphis Grizzlies) he has yet to make a significant impact.

Martin did produce career-highs of 7.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 22 minutes per game last season, but he did it on a Grizzlies team that was one of the worst in the league. He actually had one of his best games in Orlando, when he put up 19 points and 11 rebounds against the Magic on March 3.

Orlando might be the place where Martin realizes his potential. The Magic brought him in via trade, sending center Dakari Johnson — who was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to Orlando just days before for Rodney Purvis — and cash to Memphis.

Martin is an athletic big man (6’10”, 240 pounds) who can run the floor and finish strong. He has a knack for getting put-back dunks and he shows good rebounding instincts. Martin knocked down 34.7 percent of his 3-pointers last season and has a solid mid-range jump shot.

If Martin can provide quality minutes behind Gordon at power forward for the Magic, that allows 2017 lottery pick Jonathan Isaac more flexibility to play across the frontcourt at multiple positions. Martin can be an upgrade over Speights and a solid stretch-4 with this team.

Grade: B

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