The Orlando Magic are an American professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. The Magic compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The franchise was established in 1989 as an expansion franchise, and such notable NBA stars as Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis and Nikola Vučević have played for the club throughout its history. As of 2021, the franchise has played in the NBA playoffs 16 times in 32 seasons, and twice went to the NBA Finals, in 1995 and 2009, losing to the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers, respectively.
History: The NBA draft is an annual event dating back to 1947 in which the teams from the National Basketball Association (NBA) can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. Historically, the vast majority of players drafted are college players. From 1995–2005, NBA teams drafted a slew of just-graduated high school standouts like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard, Tracy McGrady and Amar’e Stoudemire. To counteract this, the NBA implemented an age requirement in July of 2005. The draft usually takes place near the end of June, during the NBA offseason. Since 1989, the draft has consisted of two rounds; this is much shorter than the entry drafts of the other major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada, all of which run at least seven rounds. Sixty players are selected in each draft.
The Orlando Magic had three picks in the 2023 NBA draft:
- Round 1 No. 6: Anthony Black (Arkansas): A versatile guard who can play both on and off the ball, Black averaged 15.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game as a freshman at Arkansas. He has good size (6-foot-7) and athleticism for his position, and can score from all three levels. He also showed potential as a defender and playmaker.
- Round 1 No. 11: Jett Howard (Michigan): The son of former NBA player and current Michigan coach Juwan Howard, Jett Howard is a skilled wing who can shoot the ball well from beyond the arc. He averaged 18.2 points and made 42.9% of his 3-pointers as a senior at IMG Academy in Florida. He also has good basketball IQ and instincts, and can create his own shot off the dribble.
- Round 1 No. 36: Andre Jackson Jr. (Connecticut): A high-flying forward who can finish above the rim with ease, Jackson Jr. averaged 6.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game as a sophomore at Connecticut. He also led the team in blocks (1.1 per game) and steals (1.4 per game). He has great physical tools (6-foot-7 with a 7-foot wingspan) and athleticism, but needs to improve his shooting and ball-handling skills.
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The Orlando Magic have had some notable draft picks in the last five years, especially in the first round. Here are their top five draft picks from 2019 to 2023, along with their grades:
- 2023: Anthony Black (6th), Jett Howard (11th), Andre Jackson Jr. (36th) | Grade: B The Magic added three talented players to their young core in 2023, led by Anthony Black, a versatile guard who can score from all three levels and play both on and off the ball. Jett Howard, the son of former NBA player and current Michigan coach Juwan Howard, is a skilled wing who can shoot the ball well from beyond the arc. Andre Jackson Jr. is a high-flying forward who can finish above the rim with ease and has great physical tools and athleticism. The Magic could have used a more defensive-minded player or a big man, but they still got good value with their picks.
- 2022: Paolo Banchero (1st), Caleb Houstan (32nd) | Grade: A The Magic hit the jackpot in 2022, landing the top pick in the draft and selecting Paolo Banchero, a dominant big man who can do it all on both ends of the floor. Banchero averaged 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game as a freshman at Duke, and was named the Rookie of the Year and an All-Star in his first NBA season. He is the franchise cornerstone that the Magic have been looking for since Dwight Howard left. The Magic also got a steal in the second round with Caleb Houstan, a sharpshooting forward who can stretch the floor and provide spacing for Banchero.
- 2021: Jalen Suggs (5th), Franz Wagner (8th) | Grade: A- The Magic had two lottery picks in 2021, and they used them wisely to select Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner, two players who fit well with their culture and identity. Suggs is a dynamic point guard who can score, pass, defend and lead. He was a star at Gonzaga, where he led the Bulldogs to the national championship game and hit one of the most memorable shots in college basketball history. Wagner is a versatile forward who can play multiple positions and contribute in various ways. He was a standout at Michigan, where he showed his ability to shoot, handle, pass and defend.
- 2020: Cole Anthony (15th) | Grade: B+ The Magic got a solid player in Cole Anthony, who fell to them at the 15th pick in 2020. Anthony is a confident and explosive guard who can create his own shot and score in bunches. He had a productive career at UNC, where he averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4 assists per game as a freshman. He also improved his efficiency and consistency in his second NBA season, averaging 14.2 points, 5 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 34.5% from three.
- 2019: Chuma Okeke (16th) | Grade: B The Magic took a gamble on Chuma Okeke, who missed his entire rookie season due to an ACL injury he suffered in college. Okeke was a promising prospect at Auburn, where he averaged 12 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game as a sophomore. He also showed his potential as a versatile defender and a reliable shooter from deep. He made his NBA debut in 2020-21, and showed flashes of his talent, averaging 7.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal per game while shooting 34% from three.
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FAQs
Q: Who are the Orlando Magic’s 2023 NBA draft picks?
A: The Orlando Magic had three picks in the 2023 NBA draft: Anthony Black (6th), Jett Howard (11th) and Andre Jackson Jr. (36th).
Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Anthony Black, the Orlando Magic’s 6th pick in the 2023 NBA draft?
A: Anthony Black is a versatile guard who can play both on and off the ball, score from all three levels, and defend multiple positions. He has good size (6-foot-7) and athleticism for his position, and can create his own shot or facilitate for others. His weaknesses include his decision-making, his consistency, and his free throw shooting.
Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Jett Howard, the Orlando Magic’s 11th pick in the 2023 NBA draft?
A: Jett Howard is a skilled wing who can shoot the ball well from beyond the arc, handle the ball, and pass. He has good basketball IQ and instincts, and can create his own shot off the dribble. His weaknesses include his defense, his rebounding, and his strength.
Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Andre Jackson Jr., the Orlando Magic’s 36th pick in the 2023 NBA draft?
A: Andre Jackson Jr. is a high-flying forward who can finish above the rim with ease, block shots, and steal the ball. He has great physical tools (6-foot-7 with a 7-foot wingspan) and athleticism, and can run the floor well. His weaknesses include his shooting, his ball-handling, and his offensive repertoire.
Q: How do the Orlando Magic’s 2023 NBA draft picks fit with their current roster and future plans?
A: The Orlando Magic’s 2023 NBA draft picks add more talent and depth to their young core, which includes Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Cole Anthony, Chuma Okeke, Jonathan Isaac, Markelle Fultz, Wendell Carter Jr., and Mo Bamba. The Magic have a lot of potential and versatility in their lineup, and can play different styles depending on their matchups. The Magic are still in a rebuilding mode, but they have a bright future ahead of them if they can develop their players and stay healthy.
