NBA Mock Draft: Magic 'Needs Shooters,' Takes National Champion SG

The Orlando Magic ranked 24th in the NBA in three-point percentage this past season.

Jeremy Brener | May 7, 2023

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic could be working with a pair of first-round picks in the upcoming NBA Draft.

The Magic has its own pick and could also take the Chicago Bulls' selection, which was traded to Orlando in the Nikola Vucevic trade. The Magic will convey the pick as long as it stays outside of the top four picks.

Yardbarker predicted Arkansas point guard Anthony Black to be selected with the No. 6 pick, while UConn sharp shooter Jordan Hawkins would be chosen with the No. 11 pick.

"The Magic need shooters," Yardbarker writes. "They were 25th in the NBA in three-pointers and 24th in the NBA in three-point percentage. Enter Jordan Hawkins. Anyone who watched him during March Madness knows that he's got an absolute laser from deep - one of the purest jump shots you'll ever see. The UConn sophomore, who averaged 16.2 PPG with 41-39-89 shooting splits, would be an ideal floor spacer for Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Markelle Fultz, and could develop into a JJ Redick-type of threat from the outside."

The Magic struggled from long-distance shooting this season, making just 34.6 percent of threes, a mark good enough for 24th in the league. Adding Hawkins to the roster would give Orlando an opportunity to see that number rise.

The Magic will learn of its position in the draft on May 16 at the NBA Draft Lottery.

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Published May 7, 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.