Orlando Magic
Days Leading Up to the Draft: The Final Big Board
Published
11 years agoon
By
FNN SPORTS
With the draft two days away, the Magic front office is closing in on players they plan to draft. Anything can happen; they can trade up, trade down, or keep the pick. Regardless, this draft is surprisingly deep and the team will be able to find a player who can contribute towards the ultimate goal of winning a championship. Here are the top six players the Magic should target, in order.
Kristaps Porzingis
Word is the camp of Porzingis has preferred destinations in Los Angeles and Orlando. Porzingis does not seem like the previous “Euro busts” who have preceded him. He has an astounding work ethic and love for the game, so I firmly believe he will be successful in the NBA if the right team selects him. If a big market team with championship aspirations next season drafts him, he will be scrutinized and possibly criticized by their media. If he goes to a team like Orlando, he would have time to develop, and the chance he becomes a star increases. Chad Ford recently reported ‘The ‘Zinger’s’ height and wingspan: he measures out to be 7’1.25” tall without shoes with a 7’6” wingspan. Those measurements are absolutely incredible, and his wingspan is the largest measured in this draft. A lot of people throw around Dirk and Pau comparisons, but Porzingis is unique in his own way. If I were to give a comparison, he has the potential to be Rudy Gobert on defense and Nikola Mirotic on offense. Seeing our team’s needs and observing how much those two players helped their respective teams, I would be 100% on board with drafting Porzingis.
Justise Winslow
If Porzingis is off the board, Justise Winslow should be the next player the Magic target. He has a strong motor, plays smart basketball most of the time, and will be able to contribute defensively from day one. If he impressed the front office during workouts and interviews, he would be a solid pick.
Willie Cauley-Stein
Willie Cauley-Stein has been a favorite of mine this whole year. I really hope he carves a successful career in the NBA. It has come to my attention that he has a medical history, however. I know he had ankle surgery last year, and he came back stronger than ever in the past season, so that is not an issue. He does, however, have a sickle cell trait that could affect his endurance, limiting his minutes on any given day. I am not sure if he can handle the rigors of an 82 game schedule because of that blood disorder. I really hope he can, and if the medical staff for the Magic have no red flags with their assessments, he should be considered right up there with Winslow if Porzingis is off the board.
Mario Hezonja
When asked if he has seen Lionel Messi play, Super Mario responded, “Let Messi come to see me.” Saying Hezonja has confidence is definitely an understatement. In fact, it could be his rise to stardom or his hubris. He seems to walk the walk regardless in Europe, and has singlehandedly tried to bring back his team in two consecutive games in the ACB Finals despite limited minutes from his coach, Xavi Pascual, who presumably views him as a lost cause, as Hezonja wants to play in the NBA soon. Reports have come forward about the Magic being interested in Winslow and Hezonja; while those reports could very well be a smokescreen, one would have to assume Hennigan has done his due diligence scouting Mario and possibly interviewing him. On a side note, if Mario’s team gets swept in the Finals, he has a Visa ready to go so he can make it to the draft on Thursday.
Myles Turner/Stanley Johnson
I feel there is a strong possibility either or both Stanley Johnson and Myles Turner will be the steal(s) of the lottery when all is said and done ten years from now. I would have Johnson higher on this list, but I have not found any inclination he has worked out for the Magic. If he has, he is right up there in consideration with Winslow and WCS. Myles Turner would be a reach at number five considering his stock, but if his medical records check out, the Magic should consider trading down for him. Hennigan has expressed interest in trading down, as every GM should explore all possibilities. One of my personal favorite moves for the team to conduct on draft night would be to draft Winslow, then trade him down to number eight for Stanley Johnson, acquiring Detroit’s 2015 2nd Rounder as well as their 2017 1st and 2nd Rounders. The 2017 draft class is shaping out to be very promising and deep, so making this trade is optimal for both now and the long term. This would be a clever move if the Magic have interviewed and worked out Johnson; if not, and if they are looking for a wing, drafting Winslow would not be a bad move, as he has superstar potential in his own right as well. However, as far as addressing a need, Turner seems to be a rim protector who can stretch the floor on offense.
Thursday night is going to be a lot of fun anticipating possible moves and scenarios by the thirty GMs in the league. I have no doubt Hennigan and his staff will walk away as winners with whatever move they make. While I do believe Porzingis is the top choice and the perfect mix of fit, talent, and character the Magic draft for, there are a lot of options the Magic have in a surprisingly loaded draft that I believe is even deeper than last year’s class.
Thank you for reading this three-part series on the draft! Tune in to draft coverage on Thursday night at 7 pm on ESPN!
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NBA
Magic Beat Raptors for Second Win in a Row
Published
3 years agoon
December 9, 2022By
Mike Brodsky
ORLANDO, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Orlando Magic (7-20) continued their winning ways against the Toronto Raptors (13-13), defeating them 113-109 , just two days after a come-from-behind overtime victory against the Los Angeles Clippers. This two game winning streak puts an end to the Magic’s previous nine game losing streak.
The Magic started strong, taking a 37-25 lead into the second quarter, led by 10 first quarter points from Franz Wagner. But the Raptors caught up to the Magic midway through the second quarter led by Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent Jr. But at halftime, the Magic held a slight lead, 67-63.
The Magic extended their lead to 94-87 with remarkably impressive scoring from Franz Wagner who added 14 points in the third quarter alone. In the fourth quarter, the Raptors tied it up 108-108 with about two minutes remaining after two free throws by OG Anunoby. Paolo Banchero made one of two subsequent free throws, and Moe Wagner drew the charge from Gary Trent Jr. to negate his two point basket. Fred Van Vleet later added a free throw to tie the game at 109-109. A Franz Wagner tip layup put the Magic up 111-109. A missed shot by Fred Van Vleet sealed the Raptors loss. Banchero’s two free throws put the Magic ahead 113-109 at the end of the game.
Franz Wagner led the scoring for the Magic with 34 points, while Paolo Banchero scored 23. Mo Bamba finished with 13 rebounds. Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz ended with 5 assists.
Several Magic players remain injured and were unable to play, including Wendell Carter Jr. (plantar fascia strain), Gary Harris (strained right hamstring), Chuma Okeke (left knee soreness), Jalen Suggs (right ankle soreness) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee recovery). Isaac has started his rehab program, playing in full contact 5 on 5 practice games with the Lakeland G League affiliate, and hopes to return to the court soon for Orlando.
The Magic face the Raptors at Amway once again on Sunday, 12/11 at 6:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
NBA
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic Beat Memphis Grizzlies 109-105 in Preseason Home Opener
Published
4 years agoon
October 11, 2022
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The Orlando Magic returned home to Amway Center to host the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night; the teams’ second match with each other this preseason. Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley made a point to rotate many his key players through in just the first quarter. Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins also mentioned he would take a similar route in a pregame interview, saying he planned to run 11 players in Tuesday night’s game.
First Half
As anticipated, Orlando Magic first round draft pick Paolo Banchero got busy putting up points, leading in the first quarter with nine. Banchero continued to lead the Magic in scoring in the first half with 13 points while Franz Wagner led in rebounds with eight and Wendell Carter Jr. carried the weight in assists with six. Banchero also led in free throws at 100 percent, nailing all five.
Though the Magic led in the points, the truth is the Grizzlies actually made great shot opportunities for themselves, but many of the shots just didn’t land. Not for lack of trying: Ja Morant was 2 for 11 on field goals and clocked seven points, Dillon Brooks went 2 for 6 and clocked six points, and Desmond Bane, who led the Grizzlies with 17 points in the first half, went 6 for 9 on field goals.
The Magic led in points in the paint with 20 compared to the Grizzlies’ 18 and in second chance points with five to the Grizzlies’ two. Memphis did lead in fast break points, though, with 13 to Orlando’s eight.
For the Magic, Terrence Ross was second in scoring with eight points in the first half. Orlando’s other draft pick rookie, Caleb Houstan, contributed five points in the first half. Bol Bol humbly contributed two. Cole Anthony, Wendell Carter Jr. and Franz Wagner each contributed seven points.
By halftime, the Magic had a seven-point lead, 54-47.
Second Half
Either the Grizzlies came alive in the second half or the Magic slowed down, but the Grizzlies were much more successful in scoring. Desmond Bane put up six more points in the third quarter as did Santi Aldama. Banchero and (Franz) Wagner maxed out at three additional points in the third. The Grizzlies closed the scoring gap and went into the fourth with only a six-point deficit, 77-71.
The Grizzlies clawed through the fourth quarter, narrowing Orlando’s lead to just one point with only four minutes left in the game. However, the Magic managed get more points on the board and widen the gap again by five points in the final two minutes. The rest of the game was a bit of a nail biter for Magic fans, seeing the lead shrink and grow between two and five points with fouls and free throws for Terrence Ross for the Magic and Ja Morant for the Grizzlies.
For the Magic, Wendell Carter Jr. topped in scoring with 18 points and 8 assists, with Paolo Banchero and Terrence Ross backing him up each with 17 points.
All in all, the Magic won 109-105. They have one more home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday, October 14 at 7pm ET, before getting back on the road.
____________________________________
Mellissa Thomas is Editor for Florida National News.
Orlando
Orlando Magic Sign Kevon Harris to Two-Way Contract
Published
4 years agoon
July 25, 2022By
Willie David
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Kevon Harris (KEE-von) to a two-way contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.
Harris (6’6”, 216, 6/24/97) played in 24 games (23 starts) last season with Raptors 905 of the NBA G League, averaging 15.1 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 3.6 apg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 30.2 minpg. Most recently, he played and started in all five games with Minnesota during the NBA 2K23 Summer League 2022, averaging 15.8 ppg., 2.8 rpg., 2.0 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 27.1 minpg.
Not drafted by an NBA franchise, Harris has played in 31 career NBA G League regular season games (23 starts), all with Raptors 905, averaging 12.4 ppg., 4.7 rpg. and 2.9 apg. in 25.5 minpg.
Harris played in 127 career games (104 starts) during four seasons at Stephen F. Austin (2016-20), averaging 14.4 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.05 stlpg. in 28.0 minpg., while shooting .397 (188-474) from three-point range. As a senior (2019-20), he played and started in 31 games, averaging 17.5 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 2.1 apg. and 1.52 stlpg. in 29.3 minpg., while shooting .413 (59-143) from three-point range. Harris was named First Team All-Southland Conference and the 2019-20 Southland Conference Player of the Year. He also earned Second Team All-Southland Conference twice (2017-18, 2018-19).
Harris will wear #7 with the Orlando Magic.
Per NBA rules, teams are permitted to have a maximum of two players under two-way contracts in addition to the players under standard NBA contracts. A two-way player is also eligible to provide services to Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic.
