the Magic could be "very good" in a few years

[slamtheking]

I'm not sure Orlando will be insane but I do think they have some good young players that can form a solid nucleus in Vucevic, Nicholson, Harkless, Harris and O'Quinn.   Afflalo and BBD are decent bench support but I wouldn't consider them essential players. 

If Orlando gets lucky in this draft and get a franchise-quality player, then I think they could become pretty good in 3 years or so as the youth develops.  Orlando does have a lot of luck in the lottery with having won it 3 times already.  (Shaq, Webber-flipped-for-Penny, Dwight). 

[Moranis]

Magic are in worse shape than a lot of crappy teams.  For example, I'd much rather have Cleveland, Detroit, New Orleans, Phoenix, or Washington's roster rather than Orlando.  Heck I might even want Charlotte's roster over Orlando's and Charlotte is awful.   

[LooseCannon]

All they need to do is draft a superstar and do a salary dump of guys like Al Harrington to clear cap space to sign another superstar and they have some useful pieces who could be part of a very good team.

[indeedproceed]

Orlando has to be praying for Marcus Smart in this draft.

Smart
Affalo
Harkness
Harris
Vucevic

It's a lottery roster still probably. But I see a ton of potential, especially if Harris gets better at defending 4s, and/or Harkless develops his 3pt shot. Or Harris does.

They'd be a fun 'underdog' team to play honest in 2k

[CelticConcourse]

All they need to do is draft a superstar and do a salary dump of guys like Al Harrington to clear cap space to sign another superstar and they have some useful pieces who could be part of a very good team.

I'm pretty sure it's a little easier said than done 

[Atzar]

I really like Harkless as a prospect.  I compare him to Paul George or Nicolas Batum.  I just hope the Magic create an environment in which he can really learn and get better.  He could be a very good two-way player if he's placed in a constructive atmosphere. 

I think Harris is best as a sixth man.  I like him as a guy coming off the bench who can just fill it up.  As a starter, I think he's a bit of a tweener who struggles to defend big 4's or quick 3's.  Rather bring him off the bench where he can just outscore tired starters or lesser bench players.  He seemed to have some trouble with Jeff Green, who he couldn't outquick or shoot over, when I was watching that game. 

I really like Afflalo as a roleplayer, but he doesn't fit that team.  They ask him to score when he's not really a go-to scorer, and I think he's much better as a very solid glue guy who puts a contender over the top.  I compare him to Sefolosha in terms of the role to which he's best suited. 

Nelson is one of the worst starting PG's in the NBA.

People try to paint Vucevic as the next Magic all-star big man, and I just don't see it.  Who was the last dominant big man who was a complete nonfactor on defense?  He's a nice rebounder (who frequently preys on terrible rebounding teams) but is otherwise unimpressive.

O'Quinn has done a couple of things that I liked, but overall I haven't seen enough of him or Nicholson to form my own opinion. 

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I'd draft Nerlens Noel if I'm Orlando.

Vucevic is not known for his defense, which is why Noel fits in the picture. He can be the last line of defense, the guy who will challenge all shots in the paint and Vucevic will clean it up.

Tobias Harris and Aron Afflalo will make for a decent and potentially a very solid wing combo.

Now, to replace Jameer Nelson... Well, if they can make some moves that would result in landing a PG that would be good. If they can clear cap space and sign Jose Calderon, it will be an upgrade. Then they should maybe draft Peyton Siva (who I think is NBA capable despite his size) as a backup/prospect.

Just me.

[connor]

I agree with that statement provided that they still suck enough to get Wiggins or Parker next year.

They have a ton of young NBA talent with potential, but I don't see anyone on that roster that is a sure-fire star (some could develop into one, but I haven't seen anything that would suggest it). IF they can add that kind of future star power with a guy like Wiggins or Parker next year (or even Smart/Maclemore/Noel this year), they could be dangerous in a few years.

Vucevic has a ways to go, especially on the defensive end, but he could easily turn into an extremely reliable double-double machine for them. Tobias Harris has shown a lot of talent out there and could be a legit starter in the future or at the very least a great bench guy. Harkless and Nicholson haven't gotten enough time to really prove themselves, but they both have the kind of talent to make an impact in time.

Afflalo and Baby are solid pieces, they could really help the Magic make a huge jump in 2-3 years, plus at that time they will be rid of Nelson and Hedo and can afford to retain the guys they like and still chase some other star talent. As long as Orlando management doesn't blow it by overpaying guys trying to rush their timeline they should be in a decent position for the long haul.

[CFAN38]

Magic are in worse shape than a lot of crappy teams.  For example, I'd much rather have Cleveland, Detroit, New Orleans, Phoenix, or Washington's roster rather than Orlando.  Heck I might even want Charlotte's roster over Orlando's and Charlotte is awful.

I have to disagree Orlando is in bad shape moving forward

The Magic Have some solid pieces already in place

Vucevic is a boarder like all star center and only 22

Tobias Harris has shown he can start at SF and is only 20

Mo Harkless, Andrew Nicholson, and E Moore all apear to be at least solid rotational players.

For vets they have Nelson, Harrington, And BBD for 3 more years.

They also Have Aaron Afflolo under contract for 4 more years.

With this upcoming draft I expect them to be able to obtain with a starting SG Mclemore or PG in Burke or Smart.

With a good pick this year they will have a solid mix of young talent and role playing vets.

The Bobcats two

[Moranis]

Magic are in worse shape than a lot of crappy teams.  For example, I'd much rather have Cleveland, Detroit, New Orleans, Phoenix, or Washington's roster rather than Orlando.  Heck I might even want Charlotte's roster over Orlando's and Charlotte is awful.

I have to disagree Orlando is in bad shape moving forward

The Magic Have some solid pieces already in place

Vucevic is a boarder like all star center and only 22

Tobias Harris has shown he can start at SF and is only 20

Mo Harkless, Andrew Nicholson, and E Moore all apear to be at least solid rotational players.

For vets they have Nelson, Harrington, And BBD for 3 more years.

They also Have Aaron Afflolo under contract for 4 more years.

With this upcoming draft I expect them to be able to obtain with a starting SG Mclemore or PG in Burke or Smart.

With a good pick this year they will have a solid mix of young talent and role playing vets.

The Bobcats two

Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, Tyler Zeller, Dion Waiters, Alonzo Gee, Marresse Speights, Wayne Ellington with Anderson Varejao and 2 extra firsts over the next few years

Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond, Brandon Knight, Klye Singler, Rodney Stuckey with Jose Calderon

John Wall, Bradley Beal, Kevin Seraphin, Trevor Ariza, Martell Webster with Emeka Okafor and Nene Hilario

Anthony Davis, Greivis Vasquez, Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson, Austin Rivers, Al-Farouq Aminu, Robin Lopez


Phoenix is a bit closer, but I would much rather have those four teams roster than the Magic and it isn't close as each of those four teams has at least one player that you could say has franchise player type potential and most have multiple players that have all star type talent.  The Magic do not.

[slamtheking]

I'd draft Nerlens Noel if I'm Orlando.

Vucevic is not known for his defense, which is why Noel fits in the picture. He can be the last line of defense, the guy who will challenge all shots in the paint and Vucevic will clean it up.

Tobias Harris and Aron Afflalo will make for a decent and potentially a very solid wing combo.

Now, to replace Jameer Nelson... Well, if they can make some moves that would result in landing a PG that would be good. If they can clear cap space and sign Jose Calderon, it will be an upgrade. Then they should maybe draft Peyton Siva (who I think is NBA capable despite his size) as a backup/prospect.

Just me.

not a bad idea if they can draft Noel.  if he's recovered from his injury, they could move Vucevic for a really good PG and probably another player and pick.  could help them get even further along in their improvement

[CelticsFan9]

 Orlando's got some really solid prospects.  I don't really see any of them as true star-talent, though.  Maybe Harkless or Nicholson can become that one star, but they need to develop.

Their young talent is pretty good in Harkless, Nicholson, Vucevic, Lamb, Harris, Moore, and O'Quinn.  If those players improve, I could see them packaging a couple of them to land a star (ala KG, but smaller).

On top of that, they're going to be getting lots of lottery talent in the next two or three years.

Orlando is heading in the right direction.