As we all know, there are some holes with the Magic's lineup and bench. This would be barring any trades (Vuc for picks, moving up,etc). There has been some discussion in the FanPosts about players to take with the 25th pick and the second rounders. It seems like the team has no clear cut SF and no backup PF at the moment. We have the chance to pick up those with our later picks and I feel like Ojeleye and Swanigan could fill those roles and help instantly.
Semi Ojeleye has been compared to a slightly bigger Jae Crowder that posted an impressive 40.5 Max Vertical Leap (tied for fifth best), but perhaps the more significant numbers for him were the 10.58 seconds he posted in the lane agility testing and 3.16 seconds he posted in the three-quarter court sprint which rank third and eighth best overall respectively. Ojeleye weighed in at strong 241 pounds yesterday which he has proved is not too high of a number to compromise his athletic ability. He's a highly unique physical specimen, ranking in the 95th percentile or better in those three categories in our extensive database. - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Semi-Ojeleye-7164/ ©DraftExpress He has the ability to shoot the 3 at a good clip and has the size and strength to defend the 3. Next to Gordon at the 4, that would make an athletically gifted combo of forwards that can switch on defense without issue. We flirted with the idea of trading for Crowder and wasn't able to make it happen. Ojeleye isn't Crowder right now, but with his tools and skills he is on the path to get there sooner rather than later.
Caleb Swanigan has put in serious work to get in better shape and was tasked with stepping up this past year with Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference member and go-to guy A.J. Hammons off to the NBA. He's been absolutely deadly with his back to the basket, where he's reading the floor and navigating double teams better, as well as finishing the looks created for him by teammates around the basket, where he's converting a stellar 73% of his half-court attempts according to Synergy Sports Tech. Perhaps the most notable improvement Swanigan has made is from the perimeter, though, as he's currently shooting 18/38 (47%) from beyond the arc through 20 games, up from 29% last year, while raising his free throw percentage from 71 to 78%. - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Caleb-Swanigan-71578/ ©DraftExpress He also possesses a 7'31/2 wingspan which adds to his already Draymond-esque style of basketball he plays.
These are 2 high character players with skills that are needed on this team. Defense and shooting, at 2 positions that we have a clear need for. I would like to know the thoughts of the community and feedback, players/stat reviews, personal opinions about the holes we need to fill and who can fill them.
Also Congrats to Jeff Weltman!