Orlando Magic Acquire Justin Harper's Draft Rights

by Evan Dunlap on Jun 23, 2011 11:09 PM EDT in News

The Orlando Magic have yet to make their lone selection (53rd overall) in tonight's NBA Draft, but are working on a trade to acquire the draft rights to 6-foot-8 forward Justin Harper from the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to a source. This trade is not final, but the source did indicate the deal would not cost the Magic the 53rd pick. In all likelihood, the Magic would send two future second-round picks to Cleveland. The Cavaliers selected Harper with the 32nd overall pick.

UPDATE: the trade for Harper's rights is official. The Magic sent two future second-round picks to the Cavaliers for them.

Harper, 21, averaged 17.9 points and 6.9 boards as a senior for Richmond this season. He shot 53.4 percent from the field and 44.8 percent from three-point range. His ability to swing between both forward positions makes him a fit, in theory, for Stan Van Gundy's floor-spreading offense. Orlando will get a risk-free look at Harper if this trade goes through, as second-round draft picks do not have guaranteed contracts.

Last season, Orlando used the 59th overall pick to select Stanley Robinson, an athletic combo forward from Connecticut. He did not make the team out of training camp, though the team appreciated his work ethic and approach, as it instead elected to keep journeyman center Malik Allen as its 13th man.

The NBA Draft is still ongoing and Orlando is due to pick at 53.

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Here's vid of him:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOnHBmIlKag&feature=player_embedded#at=121

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But whoever got that white is winnin like Charlie Sheen

by 4QB on Jun 23, 2011 11:12 PM EDT reply actions

Also:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkGyGVQEUHQ&feature=player_embedded#at=139

by 4QB on Jun 23, 2011 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow Otis grrrrrrrrrrrreat move!

by blumad on Jun 23, 2011 11:15 PM EDT reply actions

relatively, it's a good move.

Plus as Evan said, it’s ‘risk-free’. The problem is though with the impending lockout, his chances to impress might be limited.

Though I was more into the line of thinking that Otis would get a guard. But with Harper being a 3 guy, could this mean a subtle hint to the exit of J-Rich? Or merely insurance in case he does…?

by RL Magic on Jun 23, 2011 11:23 PM EDT reply actions

I agree, nobody in 2nd round is gonna make the team.

So why not?

by INTOTHEMEATGRINDER on Jun 23, 2011 11:25 PM EDT reply actions

Actually my bad.. just did a bit of research on him - he sees himself as a 4.

If he impresses, I don’t see why we’re still keeping Bass.

by RL Magic on Jun 23, 2011 11:28 PM EDT reply actions

Bass seems to be on the way out

Roll Bass and War Ryno for me

by Mateo9399 on Jun 23, 2011 11:31 PM EDT reply actions

ORL will keep him. See ya, Earl Clark.

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by GonzoBallSHU on Jun 23, 2011 11:34 PM EDT reply actions

Iono guys....

I like the Harper and Liggins pick up. Liggins is a hard nosed defender and Harper is that stretch 4 SVG loves…left handed, shooting touch, and he could put the ball on the floor. He’s a lot more athletic than Rashard. I’m a low-key Bass over Anderson guy but I think Bass is already gone.

by Memphissleek on Jun 23, 2011 11:55 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

well Shard was quite athletic back in the day

and Shard kinda fell to the Sonics, he was gonna be a lottery pick, then kept falling. I think Harper was picked just right around where he was predicted to.

I’m thinking he’ll be closer to Ryan Anderson than he is to Rashard, given the fact he doesn’t have the foot speed (he’s said it himself) and he does prefer to play the 4.

So potentially two floor spacing long range bombing power forwards. I didn’t anticipate that before this day

by RL Magic on Jun 24, 2011 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Sounds similar to Ryan Anderson. Good shooter, good height, gets pushed around some down low.

Never seen the guy, but seems like a good value pick late with some upside. Given the circumstance though, that’s like saying nice rainbow when a tornado of disaster is bearing down on you.

by CaliFlorida on Jun 24, 2011 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Harper is right handed

A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is just putting on its shoes.
-Mark Twain

by InOtisITrust....well most of the time on Jun 24, 2011 1:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Correction: Harper can finish around the rim with both.

That picture didn’t really help my first post at all…

by Memphissleek on Jun 24, 2011 8:01 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Fun Fact: Harper is comparable to Sweet Lew. Ice-O was also drafted at pick #32

by 4QB on Jun 23, 2011 11:57 PM EDT reply actions

I sense hope getting higher...

by Memphissleek on Jun 24, 2011 12:02 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Grade Otis today:

Harper- B to B-= low cost, unguaranteed contract, lots of potential, comparison to Ice-O/Frye is better than i thought
Liggins- C to D+ = another low cost, unguaranteed contract, compared to Ronnie Brewer, good defender but frustrating on the offensive end, better floor than ceiling, might/might not fit SVG’s system.

by 4QB on Jun 24, 2011 12:02 AM EDT reply actions

Seems like a great kid

Just was lookin at his bio on Twitter: “Certified WORKAHOLIC, Student of THE GAME”

Sounds like a guy who will fit in quite well here, and be loved by the fans for it.

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by JeffShann3 on Jun 24, 2011 12:45 AM EDT reply actions

Seems like a good move

Hopefully he works out.

Sons of Plunder

by Gatorbuc15 on Jun 24, 2011 12:46 AM EDT reply actions

Harper made tremendous improvement from his junior to senior seasons

His points per game went from 10.6 to 17.9, FG% from 48.3% to 53.4%, three point FG% from 34.4% to 44.8%, FT% from 68.1% to 79.7%, and rebounds per game from 5.4 to 6.9.

He scored in double figures in 35 of 37 games last season, including 14 games of 20+ points with a high of 30 points.

Rivals.com lists Harper as being 6’ 10" and 225 pounds, though in Evan’s post he is listed as 6’ 8".

He also played all four years of college basketball.

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by Mike from Illinois on Jun 24, 2011 6:34 AM EDT reply actions

Looks and play like Channing Frye?

by zakchi on Jun 24, 2011 6:42 AM EDT reply actions

Does this mean Bass or Anderson might be traded?

So we have a stockpile at PF now, but still don’t have a back-up center. I could see the Magic using Bass as a trade piece and have Anderson start at 4 with Harper backing him up. They both spread the floor like SVG likes in his system, and both can drain 3’s. When we got to the championship and Eastern Conf finals we had Lewis at the 4 and Anderson and Harper are along the same style of PF’s as him. I wish we could trade for Iggy to play SF, maybe for Turk and Bass. Then we would only need to worry about signing another SG/SF to go along with Reddick, Iggy, and Richardson, and a back-up center, since Vazquez is a pssy and afraid of the NBA game. I think Iggy would be a perfect fit because our PF’s are not good rebounders for their size, which Iggy is for his size, and Iggy can also distribute the ball well, which Nelson can’t for a PG. Iggy actually averages most assists a game than Nelson. Does anyone else agree with me?

by bxdx003 on Jun 24, 2011 10:55 AM EDT reply actions