NBA Mock Draft: What If Magic Pick No. 3?

The Orlando Magic could be tasked with a difficult decision if the team lands the No. 3 overall pick.

Jeremy Brener | Apr 24, 2023

NBA Mock Draft: What If Magic Pick No. 3? /

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With about three weeks until the NBA Draft Lottery, we have opportunity to speculate on where the Orlando Magic and the rest of the postseason no-shows will pick and who they all may select.

As of now, the Magic holds the sixth-best odds for the top pick with its own selection and the 11th-best odds with the Chicago Bulls' selection.

In DK Nation's latest mock draft, it used Tankathon to create an order, which granted the Magic the No. 3 pick along with No. 11. With that No. 3 pick, the Magic selected Alabama small forward Brandon Miller.

"The Magic might consider trading this pick, especially since they have plenty of young wings and could use a veteran presence," DK Nation writes. "Miller at this spot is too good to pass up, and he’ll join a loaded perimeter rotation featuring Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. Orlando could be a team that makes the big jump in 2023-24."

Putting Miller next to Wagner and Banchero could spell trouble for a lot of opposing teams, but the Magic doesn't need another 6-10 small forward. In order to spark a little variety, a trade could be made to move up or even out of the pick to acquire a top-level talent. Perhaps Orlando could also use the No. 11 pick in such a deal, one that landed UConn shooting guard Jordan Hawkins.

"At some point, the Magic are going to have to sort out their perimeter rotation and potentially make some trades," DK Nation writes. "Hawkins at this spot is too good to pass up, especially given his proficiency from behind the arc. He’s an excellent fit next to Wagner and Banchero."

Hawkins is a good fit and would help the Magic's sub-par three-point shooting. However, he would be competing for playing time next to Gary Harris and Jalen Suggs among others, which also questions whether Orlando can take a big swing by trading both of these picks for a star that can truly elevate the team.

It may be worth using one of these picks to continue bringing in some youth into the team, but the accruing of all these assets could mean it's finally time to make a big purchase on the trade market.

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Published Apr 24, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.