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:
Justin Lewis (Marquette)
Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 235 pounds | Age: 20 | Wingspan: 7-foot-2 1/2
2021-22 averages: 16.8 points (44% from the field — 49.5% on 2s, 34.9% on 3s), 7.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals.
Connection: Worked out for the Magic on May 25
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 June 1 deadline college players have to decide whether they’ll stay in the draft or withdraw and keep any remaining collegiate eligibility.
The buzz: Lewis, a former 4-star, was named the Big East’s Most Improved Player after his second season with the Golden Eagles. He was also named to the All-Big East first team. Lewis spent most of 2020-21 as a reserve before stepping into a full-time starting role this past year.
Scouting report: Big, physical and athletic forward whose defense will get him on the floor. Good size, strength and length to defend bigger wings. Can also defend smaller/quicker guards and wings. Powerful in the open floor. Good straight-line driver, but needs to improve his handle and touch around the rim on non-dunk finishes. Improved his 3-point percentage from his freshman to sophomore year by 13% but will need to show the improvement is real. His improved free-throw percentage (57.7% to 76.1%) suggests it is. Could be a viable catch-and-shoot and pick-and-pop option if the outside shooting is legit. Defensive effort wanes and he needs to improve his technique on that end.
Fit: If his shooting continues to improve, Lewis could be the kind of player who can knock down 3s and defend at a high level the Magic could use, but he’ll likely be used more as a forward instead of a wing. Would likely have to battle Chuma Okeke and Franz Wagner for playing time, in addition to the other players who’ll get minutes at power forward. Lewis won’t require a lot of offensive usage. He’s projected to be taken in the second round and should be available for the Magic with either of their later picks.
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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