Orlando Magic: 3 players looking over their shoulder after the NBA Draft
By Luke Duffy
With the 2021 NBA Draft now complete, the mood around the Orlando Magic is one of real optimism. They managed to snag a player in Jalen Suggs who most felt was a top-four talent in this draft, and who was not supposed to be available when they were on the board with the fifth pick.
With Suggs, a point guard who looks certain to start on opening night, secured, the Magic then took more of a swing in selecting Franz Wagner with the eighth pick. A player who had attracted interest from other teams, however, only time will tell if adding Wagner was the right move to make.
Heading into the new season, the organization has, at long last, a component front office, tons of young players with potential and even some players they could use to get involved in trades. Considering the decade that just was for the franchise, this moment has been a long time coming.
The Orlando Magic find themselves in a good place after this year’s NBA Draft, but that doesn’t mean the future of every player on the team is secure.
This is the other side of the coin for some of the guys on the roster right now. For all the good vibes that are permeating through the Magic, there are only so many minutes and roles to go around. Suggs and Wagner are going to be given every chance to prove themselves, but let’s not forget that Jonathan Isaac may still yet be the cornerstone of this team.
Cole Anthony had himself an impressive rookie year, and clearly possesses the kind of personality to have a positive impact on the culture of the roster. R.J. Hampton is another who is clearly putting in the work this summer to ensure he has a big say on the future of the Magic. Here are three players who should be nervously looking over their shoulder, with their position under threat.