Ranking the top 5 young cores in the NBA after the Draft
Detroit Pistons: Ranking the top 5 young cores in the NBA after the Draft
#4 Orlando Magic
- Paolo Banchero
- Anthony Black
- Jett Howard
- Jalen Suggs
- Franz Wagner
- Cole Anthony
- Bol Bol
He may not have been one of the most hyped draft picks in years, but last year’s #1 overall pick Paolo Banchero had one of the best rookie seasons in some time. He suited up for 72 games, averaging 33.8 minutes in them. His shooting splits aren’t amazing, but there’s enough there to believe that he will be an efficient number one scorer for many years. There aren’t many rookies who manage to average 20 points per game in their very first season. Banchero isn’t the only player that Magic fans should be excited about.
Franz Wagner heads up another tier of rising stars in Orlando. Last season, Wagner scored 18.5 ppg while knocking down 36.1 percent of his threes. Wendell Carter, Jr., who is still just 24 years old scored a career high 15.2 ppg last season. While he soaked up most of the minutes in the middle, the Magic still has an intriguing big in Bol Bol to develop. In the backcourt, guys like Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, and Jalen Suggs have all flashed at different points in their careers. Fultz has overcome the dubious start he had and has become a very solid player that remains a reliable 3-point jumper away from being an all-star, while Anthony is already a well-rounded player with a legit long ball. Adding to this mix are recent draft picks Anthony Black and Jett Howard, who certainly deepen the talent pool.
There are a ton of questions to be answered in Orlando, but Banchero and Wagner are a great place to start. The Magic may be on the cusp of one of the best chapters in franchise history.