NBA Draft 2021: 5 best potential fits for OK State star Cade Cunningham

Mar 21, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cade Cunningham (2) yells from the sidelines during the second half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament against the Oregon State Beavers at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

4 of 5

NBA Draft Cade Cunningham Mohamed Bamba (Photo by Mohammed Elshamy/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

4. Orlando Magic

My favorite fit of one of the teams with top three odds, the Magic has some intriguing young pieces that could suit Cunningham well. After trading Nikola Vucevic at the deadline, the Magic went full tank mode and it worked. They finished the season 21-50, one game worse than Oklahoma City, giving them a tie for the best odds at the No. 1 pick (14.0%).

Orlando’s drafting post the Dwight Howard era has been suboptimal, but there are some young pieces that could become plus role players. Last year’s rookies Chuma Okeke, and Cole Anthony showed flashes, and R.J. Hampton and Wendell Carter looked much improved after being traded to Orlando at the deadline.

The appeal here for Cunningham isn’t the opportunity to win right away, but rather for immediate production. He would be arguably the team’s best player from day one and be tasked with a ton of responsibility. His playmaking could improve the games of all aforementioned players, and in a few years, the Magic could ascend from bottom-feeder to a playoff team. If the core continues to grow, Orlando could become an intriguing free agent destination down the line.

Orlando’s track record when they don’t have the number one pick hasn’t been great, but previous No. 1 picks Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard have given the Magic their best seasons. Cunningham maybe isn’t the generational talent those two were, but he’s good enough to turn this franchise around.

Home/NBA Draft News