The Orlando Magic, owners of the Nos. 1, 32 and 35 picks in the NBA draft, will have multiple chances to add to their roster on June 23.
After kicking off a rebuild in March 2021, the Magic already have significant young talent. Orlando has nine players who were drafted in the first round since 2017 signed to contracts for the 2022-23 season.
Nonetheless, the Magic have clear needs after finishing 2021-22 with a 22-60 record.
As the roster stands, Orlando needs a 3-and-D wing/forward — with an emphasis on reliable 3-point shooting — who has good size and length for their position. The Magic also could use another big/center, depending on what happens with Mo Bamba’s restricted free agency.
After taking a step forward in their pre-draft evaluations during the mid-May NBA draft combine in Chicago, the Magic are hosting prospects for workouts ahead of the draft.
This story is part of a series on players the Magic either interviewed or worked out in Orlando:
Kyler Edwards (Houston); June 1
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 210 pounds | Age: 23 | Wingspan: 6-foot-9
2021-22 averages: 13.8 points (36.9% from the field — 44% on 2s, 33% on 3s), 5.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1 steal.
Connection: The Houston guard, along with teammate Marcus Sasser, worked out for the Magic in Orlando on Wednesday. Shortly after the workout, Sasser announced on social media that he was returning to the Cougars for his fourth season.
Note: Just because a player is working out for a team doesn’t mean they’re a target to be drafted. A team not working out a prospect also doesn’t mean they won’t draft them. Six pre-draft prospects are allowed on the court at a time and aren’t allowed on the court with NBA players. Some players sought feedback from NBA teams ahead of the Wednesday deadline college players have to decide whether they’ll stay in the draft or withdraw and keep any remaining collegiate eligibility.
The buzz on Edwards: After three years at Texas Tech, Edwards transferred to Houston for his fourth collegiate season. He was Cougars’ second-leading scorer in conference play (14.5 points) behind Fabian White (15.4). Sasser, the team’s leading scorer, missed conference play because of a toe injury. Edwards was an integral part of a Houston team that won the American Athletic Conference and made it to the NCAA tournament’s Elite Eight before losing to Villanova.
Scouting report on Edwards: Combo guard who excels as an off-ball scorer. Solid scorer off the dribble. Decent shooter, but is streaky. Shot better than 41% on 3s in his first (44.9%) and third (41.8%) seasons with Texas Tech, but also shot below 32.2% from beyond the arc in his second season with the Red Raiders. Better shot selection could help his scoring efficiency. Solid playmaker. Struggled with scoring inside the arc throughout his collegiate career. Tenacious rebounder for his position and a pesky defender, but not the most athletic and can improve quickness.
Fit: The Magic are loaded with young guards (Cole Anthony, Devin Cannady, Markelle Fultz, R.J. Hampton and Jalen Suggs). Edwards, who isn’t projected to be taken in this year’s draft by most media outlets, would have a difficult time cracking the rotation. He could make sense as an option for Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic. Edwards took part in the G League Elite Camp in Chicago the same week as the draft combine.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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