Orlando Magic Select Daniel Orton with 29th Pick in 2010 NBA Draft

The Orlando Magic selected Daniel Orton, a 6'10" big man from Kentucky, with the 29th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Orton averaged 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.2 minutes in his last season with Kentucky. He slid deep in the draft due to concerns about a knee injury. His selection might signal the end of Marcin Gortat's tenure in Orlando; the incumbent backup center is believed to be available via trade.

Magic GM Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy will be available shortly to discuss the selection with the media.

The pick stunned the assembled media here at the Magic's draft headquarters at RDV SportsPlex.

The Magic also hold the 59th selection.

UPDATE: Chad Ford of ESPN Insider says "the Magic can afford to bring him along slowly," but he's "pretty sure Orton is wishing tonight that he'd stayed another year at Kentucky."

UPDATE 2: Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress sent this Twitter message earlier today:

Daniel Orton should write a book entitled: "How not to handle the NBA draft process." Made every mistake imaginable in the last few months.

Note that Givony's critical of Orton's draft approach, not his game.

And Kevin Pelton's similarity score compares Orton to Phoenix Suns backup center Robin Lopez.

UPDATE 3: Click here to read my just-filed take on Smith's media availability after selecting Orton.