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NBA Draft 2019: Top 3 options for Orlando Magic to select at No. 46

By Trevor Marks

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 01: Shamorie Ponds #2 of the St. John's Red Storm reacts after a three pointer against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 01: Shamorie Ponds #2 of the St. John's Red Storm reacts after a three pointer against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the HoopHall Miami Invitational at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 13: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on March 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 13: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on March 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

After reaching the playoffs with a young core, the Orlando Magic figure to add another young piece with the 46th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft. Who could they target with their second round pick?

For the first time since the Dwightmare that was the 2011-12 season, the postseason-starved Orlando Magic finally returned to the playoffs, giving their young core a chance to see valuable playoff minutes after finishing with a 42-40 record and seventh in the Eastern Conference.

Despite being dispatched by the Toronto Raptors in a five-game first round series, this season was nothing short of an immense success for the Magic, whose young core and collection of veteran players reached new heights under new head coach Steve Clifford. Nikola Vucevic (20.8 PPG, 12 RPG, 3.8 APG) earned himself an appearance in the All Star Game, Terrence Ross enjoyed himself a career year (15.1 PPG), and both Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon made improvements on both ends of the floor.

There’s plenty to be joyous over, but with both Vucevic and Ross entering the offseason as free agents who could ask for high-dollar contracts (and with plenty of teams possessing the cap space and need for productive rotation players), the Magic could potentially experience major changes to their rotation, essentially thrusting the team back into the lottery waters for the foreseeable future.

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With both their first (No. 16) and second round (No. 46) picks at their discretion, the Magic have two chances to add to their young core through the 2019 NBA Draft. The young core of Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, Mo Bamba, and the newly-acquired (and unplayed) Markelle Fultz offer upside as a strong defensive foundation, but the team could still use an infusion of talent. Whether the Magic front office opts to add pieces to strengthen an already potent defense (107.5 DRTG, eighth-best) or add players that could address notable offensive concerns (108.1 ORTG, 22nd) is yet to be determined, but there are several options available to them with two draft picks.

While a pick in the middle of the first round gives the Magic plenty of wings to choose from, including ones that may slip past the lottery (Romeo Langford, Nassir Little, Kevin Porter Jr., just to name a few), the second round doesn’t offer as many enticing options, barring any unforeseen slides on draft night. With the second pick, it could prove beneficial for the front office to target a player that would slot into the Orlando backcourt, as the team could benefit from adding on-ball creators that can make plays for others.

With that said, who could the Orlando Magic potentially target with the 46th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft?

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