With the sixth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic fill arguably their biggest need with Oklahoma point guard, Trae Young. The Magic weren’t expecting to be selecting this high in the draft, but another disappointing season landed them in the lottery.
Young will fill a huge need at point guard in Orlando. Shelvin Mack and D.J. Augustin are the only point guards currently under contract with the Magic. Young would have an opportunity to play, and play a lot, right away, which he needs to continue developing.
Young put up some gaudy stats during his freshman season with the Sooners. He led the nation in scoring and assists with 27.4 points and 8.7 assists per game. Young has deep range on his 3-point shot, but there are serious concerns with his defense. He is on the shorter side at 6’2” with only a 6’3” wingspan and limited athleticism.
A lot of the same knocks against Young were knocks against Stephen Curry when he came out of college. Developing into the same caliber of player that Curry is would be excellent for the Magic, who have been unable to draft and develop much talent in recent years.