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.
After starting a rebuild in March 2021, Magic already have significant young talent. Orlando has nine players, who were drafted in the first round since 2017, having signed contracts for the 2022–23 season.
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 NBA Draft Combine en Chicago in mid-May, the Magic were 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:
Bryson Williams (Texas Tech)
Height: 6 ft-8 | Weight: 240 pounds | Age: 24 | Wingspan: 7-foot-2 1/4
2021-22 Average: 14.1 points (53.5% off the field – 57.5% on 2s, 41.7% on 3s), 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists.
Relation: worked for magic on 31st May
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 in the draft or withdraw and retain any remaining collegiate eligibility.
buzz: The college traveler who spent his best season with the Red Raiders. A former 3-star prospect in the 2016 recruiting class, Williams spent his first two seasons with Fresno State before transferring to UTEP. Redshirted the 2018-19 season due to transfer. Played two years with the Miners and used an additional year of eligibility to play for Texas Tech. Earned All-Big 12 first-team honors with the Red Raiders, who lost to Duke in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.
scouting report: Strong, tall and mature forward. Effective in post because of its length and touch around the rim. Active on offensive boards, averaged 1.6 offensive rebounds for his collegiate career. After making 51 out of 1593 in his last four seasons, making 40 out of 96 3 last season, he expanded his jump-shot range. Improved free-throw percentage (79.9%) in his last three seasons indicates that the improvements are valid. Other than the occasional post up, someone who would rather score within the flow of the offense than make his shot. Isn’t there someone who handles the ball a lot. Defensively, the faster players performed better with guarding.
Suitable: Williams will be one of the Magic’s old players after spending six years in college. There may be limited upside due to his age. He was in the same high school graduating class as Markel Fultz and Jonathan Isaacs, who are entering their sixth season in the NBA. Williams is unlikely to be drafted, but he could turn out to be a forward who is a reliable outside shooter and a smart positional defender.
This article first appeared on orlandosentinel.com, email at cost [email protected] or follow him on twitter @khobi_price,
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