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 following the trade deadline. In their projection, Orlando holds the No. 45 selection and select Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith. The 22-year-old's pro comparison is Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder, who has been a dependable role player throughout his long career.
"All it takes is one team to believe Braden Smith's pick-and-roll feel and shotmaking are advanced enough for a backup role," the article wrote. "Lines like his 26-point, 14-assist effort against Penn State will sway more teams to gamble. There figures to be more than one front office that sees a second-round bet worth making on such an accomplished, all-intangible playmaker, particularly as drafts become shallower due to NIL bringing back more underclassmen to college. Shooting 40.6 percent from three, averaging 9.8 assists and 1.9 steals for a potential No. 1 overall seed, Smith's shooting, playmaking and competitiveness are at levels that can sway one team in the 30s, 40s or 50s to look past 6'0" size."
Smith is helping lead the Boilermakers to a strong season thus far. Purdue sits inside the AP Top 25 rankings at No. 12 with an 18-4 record. The guard is averaging 15.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 8.9 assists while shooting 50 percent from the field and a career-high 43.5 percent from three-point range. Smith was viewed as a four-star recruit in the class of 2022 ESPN recruitment rankings.
Smith has played for four seasons with the Boilermakers and has been one of the team's most efficient shooters throughout his tenure. The Magic's biggest concern over the past couple of seasons has been their perimeter shooting so a pairing of Smith and this Magic offense seems like a match made in heaven.
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