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:
David Roddy (Colorado State)
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 261 pounds | Age: 21 | Wingspan: 6-foot-11 1/2
2021-22 averages: 19.2 points (57.1% from the field — 62% on 2s, 43.8% on 3s), 7.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks.
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 had to decide whether they’ll stay in the draft or withdraw and keep any remaining collegiate eligibility.
The buzz: Roddy, who improved his production and scoring efficiency every season since joining Colorado State in 2019, was named the Mountain West Player of the Year for 2021-22. He led the Rams to the NCAA tournament this past season, their first appearance since 2013. Roddy was named first-team All-Mountain West twice (2021, ‘22).
Scouting report: Big wing who excels as a shot creator. Has a quick first step and is light on his feet when getting to the rim. Good use of spin moves and fadeaways to create his own shot from the post or wing. Can post up smaller guards/wings. Unselfish passer with good vision, especially from the post. Makes good reads even when doubled and knows how to manipulate defenses with his scoring gravity to create passing lanes. His 3-point accuracy improved (19.5% as a freshman, 27.8% as a sophomore). Hard to move in the post defensively because of size. Uses verticality and length well when defending the interior or in the post. Although his size helps him in various ways, it may be slowing him down as a one-on-one perimeter defender. He’ll have to prove his outside shooting uptick is real.
Fit: Roddy 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. He could play alongside most of Orlando’s frontcourt players. Slimming down and improving his lateral quickness would help him get more minutes at small forward. He has a versatile offensive skillset that may be worth taking a chance on. Roddy’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 khprice@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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