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The Orlando Magic selected Gonzaga G Jalen Suggs with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. The Magic then selected Michigan C Franz Wagner with the No. 8 pick.
The Magic finished second-to-last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 21-51, just one game ahead of the Pistons. This season was their worst in three years, as it’s the first time in the past three seasons they’ve failed to qualify for the playoffs. They made some mid-season moves that may have contributed to their downfall, sending Evan Fournier to the Celtics in exchange for Jeff Teague, who they subsequently waived. They also sent Aaron Gordon and Gary Clark to the Denver Nuggets, receiving RJ Hampton, Gary Harris, and a 2025 first-round draft pick in return. In addition, they shipped Nikola Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu to the Bulls while receiving Wendell Carter Jr, Otto Porter, and two future first-round draft picks in return.
It’s clear they’re aiming for a rebuild and hope to be competitive in the near future as they watched their 2020-21 season plummet in the wrong direction while adding some younger guys to their squad. They have two first-round draft picks in this draft as well as a second-round pick to add some more young talent to their roster as well.
Orlando Magic 2021 NBA Draft picks
No. 5, first round: Jalen Suggs, G, Gonzaga
No. 8, first round (via CHI): Franz Wagner, C, Michigan
No. 33, second round: Jason Preston, G, Ohio
Fantasy basketball outlook
Jalen Suggs — Suggs played 30 games with Gonzaga in his first and only year, averaging 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last season. He’s a guard that can play well both on and off the ball, who can take charge and drive to the hoop when needed. He’s also a decent three-point shooter, but still has plenty of room for improvement from downtown once he hits the NBA. The Magic are in dire need of some young talent after the players they lost last season, and Suggs will come as a breath of fresh air who can add some points either from the starting lineup or off the bench depending on how they utilize him.
Franz Wagner — Wagner played two seasons at Michigan, with his stats improving across the board in his sophomore year. He averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game last season and will bring some great offensive play to Orlando who will definitely need it. With some development, the 6’9” German should bring plenty of talent to both ends of the court and will only continue to improve once he gets underway in the NBA.