NBA Draft: Zion Williamson still first in 2019 Redraft
Small Forward. Orlando Magic. Chuma Okeke. 16. player. 38.
With all of the scrambling that happens in a redraft, it’s surprising to see a player and pick align this far down the draft board, but it happens here. The Orlando Magic originally took Okeke with the 16th pick, with some sort of agreement in place that they would take him this high if he would wait a year to sign his contract as he recovered from a major injury sustained in the NCAA Tournament.
That made this past season Okeke’s rookie year, and he clearly showed rust as he regained his form after the injury. The 6’6″ forward shot only 41.7 percent from the field in 25.2 minutes per game for the Magic. Overall he struggled to pick up NBA defense and was a low-usage player on a team that was holding open auditions for players to step up.
Yet there were some flashes that point to a good player slowly unfurling. For a two-week stretch after the NBA trade deadline Okeke found his groove, averaging 16 points per game and hitting 14 3-pointers. He was scoring, passing and getting involved on defense. If a healthy offseason can help him consolidate his progress, next season could be a breakout one for Okeke.