The no. 16 pick in the NBA Draft is one of the most interesting positions in the draft. This position is usually reserved for one of the final teams that make it into the playoffs. At this spot, it is more likely to find a role player versus a potential superstar, however that does not mean there is not value in this position. Looking through the history of the number 16 pick, the biggest name to selected in this spot is Hall of Famer and former Utah Jazz point guard John Stockton. Stockton’s prime would come in the mid 90’s while teaming with Karl Malone making it to the finals twice in ’97 and ’98. While he never did win a championship, his leadership and passing ability would lead to him becoming the NBA’s all time assist leader. Now while Stockton is more of an outlier there have been some other good picks at #16 including; Ron Artest, Hedo Turkoglu, Marreese Speights, Terry Rozier, Jusuf Nurkic, and Nikola Vucevic.
While this group of names falls short from a championships standpoint there is no denying their talent. Two names should particularly stick out to Magic fans, Hedo Turkoglu and Nikola Vucevic. Turkoglu played for the Magic from 2004-2009 and a second stint from 2010-2014. Turkoglu, the first Turkish born player to play in the NBA was a very important player for the Magic during his tenure with the team. He was a 6’10” point forward, which at the time was rare in the NBA compared to today’s game. He was instrumental in the 2009 finals run and was easily a fan favorite. Nikola Vucevic was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2011 out of USC. He was traded to the Magic the following year in the blockbuster deal that sent Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers. This past season he was selected as an all star for the first time in his career has been the first all star for the Magic since Dwight Howard in 2012 which reinvigorated the fan base here in Orlando. Not only is there potential all star talent at 16 but the Magic have been on the right side of history with some of the no. 16 picks they have had on their roster.
This years draft class is viewed as relatively weak after the first 3 picks by most scouts and GM’s covering the draft. With that being said however there are several intriguing prospects the Magic can draft at 16. Most mock drafts have the Magic selecting USC guard Romeo Langford, USG guard Kevin Porter Jr. or North Carolinas Cameron Johnson. Either of those players would fit a big for the Magic, scoring. Cameron Johnson is regarded as the best shooter in this draft, he also fits the mold of a Jeff Weltman type of, long and athletic at the forward positions. Both Langford and Kevin Porter Jr. are versatile wing players who not only can score from every level on the floor but play good defense as well. Although they made the playoff this past season, it was clear during their series with the eventual champions Toronto Raptors that producing points outside of Vucevic proved difficult. The Magic will have some intriguing options in June’s NBA draft.
For the first team in 7 years, the Orlando Magic are not in the lottery in contention for a top 14 pick and it must be said, It feels like MAGIC!
Magic Time 