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:
Jared Rhoden (Seton Hall)
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 201 pounds | Age: 22 | Wingspan: 6-foot-11
2021-22 averages: 15.5 points (39% from the field — 41% on 2s, 33.6% on 3s), 6.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals.
Connection: Worked out for the Magic on June 6
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: Rhoden was named first-team All-Big East this past season, his fourth with the Pirates. He was the leading scorer on a Seton Hall team that peaked at No. 15 on the AP poll and made it to the NCAA tournament. Rhoden isn’t projected to be drafted.
Scouting report: Good perimeter defender. His active hands, lateral quickness, effort, length and size help him stand out on that end of the floor. Can navigate screens well and is difficult to create separation against, though he can be overaggressive at times and take himself out of plays on closeouts or in the passing lanes. Good rebounder. Inconsistent shooter, but showed effectiveness on catch-and-shoot opportunities. His 81.7% free-throw percentage over the last two seasons suggests he has shooting upside. Smart and effective cutter. Needs to improve his first step and finishing at the rim. Isn’t the best creator offensively, but won’t be tasked with those responsibilities as a professional. Makes the right passes.
Fit: Rhoden has the potential to become the kind of 3-and-D wing the Magic could use. His 3-point shooting will likely determine whether he’ll land on an NBA roster. If he can be more consistent as an outside shooter, he’d be a good player for the Magic to consider drafting in the second round. Rhoden could also make sense as an option for a two-way deal or with Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic, if he isn’t drafted.
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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