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:
Lester Quinones (Memphis)
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 205 pounds | Age: 21 | Wingspan: N/A
2021-22 averages: 10 points (44.9% from the field — 53.8% on 2s, 39% on 3s), 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals.
Connection: Worked out for the Magic on June 5
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 had to decide whether they’ll stay in the draft or withdraw and keep any remaining collegiate eligibility.
The buzz: Quinones, a former 4-star prospect and IMG Academy alum, shined during his first season with the Tigers under Memphis coach and former Magic star Penny Hardaway. He averaged 10.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists his freshman season en route to being named to the American Athletic Conference All-Freshman team. Quinones has been a full-time starter in each of his three seasons at Memphis.
Scouting report: High-level shooter, especially from beyond the arc. Made 39.4% of his 3s (99 of 251) during his sophomore and junior seasons. His range extends a couple of feet beyond the 3-point line. Quick release on his shot. Can attack a close out well and score from the mid-range, too. Decent pull-up jumper from inside the arc, but wasn’t used much as a shot creator. Mostly catch and shoot. Good rebounder for his position. Decent defender, but needs to work on his quickness. Didn’t increase his production in his three seasons in college.
Fit: Quinones’ shooting ability would help a Magic team that’s finished in the league’s bottom-five in 3-point percentage the last two seasons. He isn’t projected to be drafted, but he could make sense as an option for Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic, or a two-way deal.
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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