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The Orlando Magic selected Andrew Nicholson and Kyle O'Quinn in the 2012 NBA Draft on Thursday night, using the 19th and 49th overall picks, respectively, on the senior big men. Both players fit comfortably in the culture Rob Hennigan, the team's new General Manager, is trying to create in Orlando, but they don't figure to be fits for the team on the floor.
Hennigan addressed Orlando's strongest position in the Draft, shoring up big-man depth when he had more pressing needs on the wings and at point guard. To that effect, here's the Magic's post-draft depth chart:
Orlando Magic 2012/13 Depth Chart | |||
---|---|---|---|
Pos. | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
PG | Chris Duhon | ||
SG | Jason Richardson | ||
SF | Hedo Turkoglu | Quentin Richardson | |
PF | Glen Davis | Justin Harper | Andrew Nicholson |
C | Dwight Howard | Kyle O'Quinn | |
It's certainly possible the Magic will retain point guard Jameer Nelson, who has until Friday to decide on his player option for the 2012/13 season, and shooting guard J.J. Redick, who has a non-guaranteed contract. But at present, the Magic have glaring deficiencies on the wing and at point guard, and Hennigan failed to address them.
To be clear, Nicholson and O'Quinn are fine players, and both should have decent NBA careers. I don't question that they can play. The way in which Nicholson closed out his season to lift St. Bonaventure to the NCAA Tournament attests to his skill, while O'Quinn was the centerpiece of a 15th-seeded Norfolk State squad that upset second-seeded Missouri. I merely question where they fit with Orlando.
Hennigan isn't finished shaking up Orlando's roster; he said in a post-Draft meeting with the media he would begin mapping a plan on Friday for the rest of the Magic's summer. Perhaps the roles Nicholson and O'Quinn will play with this team will become more clear as the offseason progresses. But it's difficult to grade Hennigan's first Draft as the Magic's GM positively.
Grade: C- |
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