Option B — Draft Dennis Smith Jr.

DSJ goes up and never comes down.

Dennis Smith Jr. may be the most athletic guard in this draft. Yes, over De’Aaron Fox, Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Malik Monk, and Frank Ntilikina. Could DSJ be the next Damian Lillard or rise to the heights of prime, MVP-level D-Rose with a better jump-shot? Yes, he very well could. With the guard market seemingly growing at an endless rate in the NBA, respectable outside-shooting has become the normal expectation for most back-court players. If it comes down to Dennis and Jonathan at #6, its essentially a question of personal belief from the front office. Is defensive versatility or offensive overload more important when both players look to be respectable defenders at their positions right away? DSJ really doesn’t even have the capability to bottom-out; it seems only injury or bad luck can stand in his way. He could theoretically arrive in the league around the same skill level as Zach Lavine, Jordan Clarkson, or Austin Rivers, athletic score-first guards whose shots you must respect, whose defense is on-par with their respective elders, and whose dunks you don’t want to be on the receiving end-of. The kid seems to have his head on his shoulders, his focus on the right details of the game, and a sturdy confidence to boost, “I never run from a challenge. I never back down from adversity.” Dennis said on ACC media day.

If the Magic were to draft Dennis, they’ll have a slight hole left to fill on the wing; unless Terrence Ross, Evan Fournier, Mario Hezonja, and Aaron Gordon can handle the minutes at the 2, 3, and 4 respectively, perhaps with some spot minutes from DSJ at the 2. Otherwise, drafting an all-around combo guard with an offensive focus begs the question of fit in free agency. Should the new front office execs only spend on short-term contracts to save money for a star once DSJ, #AirGordon🛫, and others develop a little longer? Or do they blow it all on a player because they have the money? With $10–20M to spend depending on which draft picks and players are kept, Jeff and John could look at a few potential fits for the Magic in free agency on the wing. Does Jonathan Simmons or Tyreke Evans sound good? Not for the money they’ll get in this new market. Otto Porter, though a restricted free agent for Washington, may be worth looking at even as an over-pay due to DSJ’s potential to score right away and Otto’s aesthetically pleasing D-and-3 fit on paper next to say

DSJ Terence Ross Otto AG and Biz in the starting lineup with Vuc, Evan, Elfrid, and #PaperMario💸 off the bench.

To avoid a potential long-term gamble in Otto Porter, who broke out statistically in a contract year, Jerami Grant, Dante Cummingham, Omri Casspi, and CJ Miles are all outside shooting threats that may be had at a relative discount under $10/year in a 20-player deep market at the small forward position; James Johnson, P.J. Tucker, and Patrick Patterson fall into the same category. Robert Covington is a name whose price tag might fall in the middle of everyone mentioned, say $12–17M/year, who may have the most upside to be a bargain in years 3 and 4; Covington has shown consistent development to his overall game in Philadelphia, but may be ready to cash in after getting rook’d by contract “rules” agreed upon between the NBA and NBPA.

Verdict: Draft DSJ to fill back-court scoring and overall needs. Sign Robert Covington to under $15M/year if possible, but if you end up paying $17–20M anyway, seriously consider the relatively same offer to Otto Porter.