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Orlando Magic: 3 takeaways from the 2021 NBA Draft

By Luke Duffy

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 29: NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) and Jalen Suggs pose for photos after Suggs was drafted by the Orlando Magic during the 2021 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on July 29, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 29: NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) and Jalen Suggs pose for photos after Suggs was drafted by the Orlando Magic during the 2021 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on July 29, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic, NBA draft (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic NBA draft night takeaways: 2. They took a risk

Although a number of teams showed interest in Wagner, it is still less certain that he has an impact on the Magic in the same way that Suggs will. Remember, there were just as many people who were delighted the franchise took Hezonja back in the day and truly believed he could be the piece to help bring them back to relevancy.

Outside of the both of them being European, Wagner is certainly not Hezonja. Defensively there’s a lot more going on here, while the passing of Wagner is an intriguing piece and something which the Magic could really lean into offensively as time goes on. Franchise icon Nikola Vucevic was a big man who created so much out of the post and paint areas, and Wagner may be able to replicate a bit of that.

There are those who also think Wagner will be in a position to help the Magic right away, and while it is possible, those expectations should be tempered. Suggs looks far more ready to step into a starting role on opening night if needed or to come off the bench and help the team to some unexpected early-season wins.

That’s the beauty of getting Suggs though. It allows the Magic to take more of a risk on Suggs, and it also speaks to the shrewdness of the front office as well. A point we will return to. On a broader scale, trading away Vucevic was not a very popular move midway through last season, but that was a risk that has also paid off as well.

Wagner will have his work cut out for him to get minutes. Bamba is fighting for his life with the Magic, Jonathan Isaac will be back from injury eventually and Wendell Carter Jr. has started life well in Orlando. Wagner’s best path to minutes is probably to slip into the Evan Fournier-sized hole in the roster, but that is no certain thing either.

Anthony, Fultz, R.J. Hampton, Suggs, Ross, Harris and Michael Carter-Williams all need to fit in here somewhere. At least until any potential trades get worked out. Even his own brother will be looking to take some of Wagner’s playing time if he sticks around. Nevertheless, this was the right pick to make, with the upside here one of real excitement.

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