NBA Draft 2019: Top 3 options for Orlando Magic to select at No. 16
By Trevor Marks
2. Romeo Langford, 6-6 wing, Indiana
Unlike the aforementioned Tyler Herro, Indiana’s Romeo Langford fits the prototypical John Hammond draftee perfectly. At 6-6 with a sturdy frame and 6-11 wingspan, Langford offers excellent size and length on the wing in the NBA, with the potential to defend multiple positions if his lateral agility and defensive technique (specifically his footwork) improves with adequate coaching from Steve Clifford.
Langford doesn’t add much to the team as a shooter (27.2 3P%), but his so-so free throw percentage (72.2 FT%) and elite touch around the basket suggest that there is some upside in the shooting department. Considering that the freshman wing also played with a torn ligament in his shooting hand, it’s possible that his shooting numbers were significantly hindered as a result, and that we should be a tad more optimistic on his chances to shoot. He does have a bit of a hitch at the top of his release, but the touch is there, so the mechanics are fixable.
Orlando would immediately benefit from Langford’s ability to get to the rim and draw fouls, an area they struggled mightily in (30th in free throws made and attempted) this past season. Langford routinely got to the rim thanks to his strength as a driver, drawing fouls at an impressively high rate (.491 FTr). Whether or not he becomes a shooter is his biggest swing skill as a prospect, but he wouldn’t be a bad selection with the 16th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft.