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:
Christian Braun (Kansas)
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 209 pounds | Age: 21 | Wingspan: 6-foot-6 1/2
2021-22 averages: 14.1 points (49.5% from the field — 54.5% on 2s, 38.6% on 3s), 6.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1 steal.
Connection: Worked out for the Magic
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: Braun was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman team in 2019-20. He was the second leading scorer for the Jayhawks, who won the 2022 NCAA tournament. Braun is expected to be drafted early in the second round.
Scouting report: Athletic wing who’s a reliable shooter from beyond the arc. Made 135 of his 357 3-pointers (37.8%) in three seasons. Particularly effective off catch-and-shoot opportunities. Attacks closeouts and gets to the rim well. Good cutter and finisher. Likes to get out in transition and can finish above the rim. Good playmaker/passer within the flow of the offense — makes the simple reads. Smart and disruptive defender who makes up for his lack of length with good positioning and footwork. Active help defender and rebounder. Needs to improve his self creation and ball security (2 turnovers per game last season). Adding strength will help him with defending bigger wings/forwards. Having a more effective floater would help him be more efficient inside the arc when he can’t get all the way to the rim. Being more consistent on pull-ups from beyond the arc would make him a more lethal offensive threat.
Fit: Braun would fit well within the Magic’s roster. He would space the floor for Orlando’s playmakers, make plays within the flow of the offense, compete defensively and give the Magic wing depth. Braun would fit within multiple lineups. He should be available when the Magic make their first pick in the second round.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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