The Orlando Magic, owners of the No. 1, 32 and 35 picks in the NBA Draft, will have several chances to add them to their roster on June 23.
Magic already has significant young talent, having started rebuilding in March 2021. Orlando has nine players who were signed to contracts for the 2022–23 season in the first round from 2017.
Nonetheless, the Magic have clear needs after finishing 2021-22 with a 22-60 record.
As the roster stands, Orlando needs 3-and-D wing/forward – with an emphasis on reliable 3-point shooting – that have good shape and length for their position. Depending on what happens with Mo Bamba’s restricted free agency, Magic could also use another big/center.
After taking a step forward in their pre-draft evaluations during the conjunction of the NBA draft in Chicago in mid-May, the Magic are offering a host of workout prospects before the draft.
This story is part of a series on players Magic interviewed with or worked for in Orlando:
Christian Braun (Kansas)
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 209 pounds | Age: 21 | Wingspan: 6-foot-6 1/2
2021-22 Average: 14.1 points (49.5% off the field – 54.5% on 2s, 38.6% on 3s), 6.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1 steal.
Relation: worked for magic
Note: Just because a player is working for a team doesn’t mean they are a target to be drafted. A team not working on a prospect also doesn’t mean they won’t draft them. Six pre-draft prospects are allowed on the court at once and are not allowed on the court with NBA players. After some players sought feedback from NBA teams before the June 1 deadline, college players had to decide whether they would remain or withdraw in the draft and retain any remaining collegiate eligibility.
buzz: Brawn was named in the Big 12 All-Freshman squad in 2019-20. He was the second leading scorer for the Jayhawks team that won the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Braun is expected to be drafted early in the second round.
scouting report: Athletic Wing that is a reliable shooter from Beyond the Ark. Made 135 of his 357 3-pointers (37.8%) in three seasons with Kansas. Particularly effective on catch-and-shoot occasions. Attacks the closeout and reaches the rim well. Good cutter and finisher. Prefers to exit in transition and can end up over the rim. Good playwright / passerby within the flow of crime – reads simple. Smart and disruptive defender who makes up for the lack of length with good position and footwork. Active help defender and rebounder. Needs to improve his own build and ball safety (2 turnovers per game last season). Adding strength would help him defend bigger wings/forward. Having a more effective floater will help him be more efficient inside the arc when he can’t reach the rim. Being more consistent on pull-ups beyond the arc would make him a more lethal offensive threat.
Suitable:Brawn would fit nicely into the Magic’s roster. He would make room for Orlando’s playmates, play within the flow of the offense, compete defensively and give depth to the Magic Wing. Braun will fit into many lineups. He must be available when the Magic make their first pick in the second round.
This article first appeared on orlandosentinel.com, email at cost [email protected] or follow him on twitter @khobi_price,
,
