NBA Draft 2019: Top 3 options for Orlando Magic to select at No. 16

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #4 of the Virginia Tech Hokies handles the ball against Lovell Cabbil Jr. #3 of the Liberty Flames in the first half during the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 24, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 05: Mo Bamba #5 and Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic high five after a successful play in the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Amway Center on December 05, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) /

After reaching the playoffs with a young core, the Orlando Magic figure to add another building block for the future with the 16th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft. Who could they target with the 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.

That makes the 16th pick relatively significant for the Magic’s future. It gives them a chance to add another piece to their young core of Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, Mo Bamba, and the newly-acquired (and unplayed) Markelle Fultz, a core that possesses attractive length and defensive upside. Whether the team figures to add onto what was a successful defense (107.5 DRTG, eighth), or address offensive concerns (108.1 ORTG, 22nd) is yet to be determined, but there are several options available in the middle of the first round.

Who could the Orlando Magic potentially target with the 16th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft?

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