The Orlando Magic are one of the younger teams in the NBA. The team has been consistent with their draft picks over the past few seasons. Players such as Anthony Black, Tristan da Silva and Jase Richardson have proven their worth in the rotation. Black, especially, is in the midst of a breakout campaign. Now, the Magic have the opportunity to add another young player with potential using their upcoming second-round draft pick.
Bleacher Report released their updated two-round mock draft. In their projection, Orlando holds the No. 47 selection and selects Florida Gators big man Alex Condon. The 21-year-old Australian is compared to former center Meyers Leonard, who had a couple of productive seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2010s before leveling out and retiring earlier last year.
"Alex Condon's shooting hasn't taken off this year, but he's become a tougher inside scoring threat and a more aware passer," the article wrote. "At 6'11", 230 pounds, the play-finishing, low-post offense and vision will earn him looks, but they'll occur much earlier in the draft if we start seeing more drives past closeouts and made threes."
Condon was instrumental in bringing the Florida Gators their first championship last season since 2007. Last year, he averaged 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from three-point range. This season, he is averaging 14.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 50.9 percent from the field along with a dismal 15 percent from three-point range. The Gators are having a strong season. Florida sits inside the AP Top 25 rankings at No. 16 with a 13-5 record.
If Condon joined Orlando, he would presumably find a role from the get-go. Jonathan Isaac is seeming like a trade candidate and Moritz Wagner sits on an expiring contract. With the Magic's consistent injury woes, depth is an important need for the roster. At this point, he is viewed as a second-round pick but if he can improve his three-point shooting, he may be drafted much higher.
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