The Orlando Magic are a part of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference in the NBA. The Magic were added as an expansion team in 1989, giving Florida two NBA teams.
As a part of the expansion, the Magic were allowed to select players from a pool of talent. The Magic officially participated in their first NBA draft in 1989. As their first-ever draft pick, the Orlando Magic selected Nick Anderson with the 11th overall pick. This was a key pick and selection as Anderson would prove to be pivotal in their multiple playoff runs.
Some other notable draft picks in Magic’s franchise history include selecting Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Webber, Dwight Howard and Paolo Banchero first overall.
The Magic have been one of the luckier teams when it comes to the NBA draft, receiving the first overall pick four times in 34 years. However, their luck with the NBA draft has never translated to winning a championship. The Magic had Shaq for six seasons, from 1992 to 1997, but could not win the elusive title.
The closest they came was in 1995, when the team reached the NBA Finals, but were swept by the Houston Rockets. Soon after, the Magic went through a rebuild, and this time, Dwight Howard was the cornerstone of the team. The Magic were among the elite teams of the Eastern Conference every year since they drafted him and in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, the Magic shocked the entire basketball world when they beat the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers to make it to their second Finals in franchise history. Their luck, however, ran out as they would eventually fall to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, who were on a mission to reclaim their position as the NBA top dogs.
Orlando Magic 2023 Draft Picks
In the 2023 NBA draft, the Orlando Magic had three draft picks. They had the sixth overall pick, which they used to select Anthony Black. Then with the 11th pick they acquired from Chicago, they selected Jett Howard. Finally, in the second round, they drafted Andre Jackson Jr. 36th overall, who was later traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Magic have one of the best young teams, most of which they built through the draft, and have a good chance of contending in the coming seasons.
FAQ's on Orlando Magic draft
A. The Orlando Magic were established in 1989.
A. Kia Center in downtown Orlando is the home arena of the team.
A. The Orlando Magic are yet to win a NBA championship.
A. Dwight Howard is the leading scorer for the Magic, with 11,435 points.
A. The Orlando Magic drafted Anthony Black with the sixth overall pick in 2023.
