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Sports

Orlando Magic 2013 Draft Preview

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

The Orlando Magic finished with the worst record in the NBA, but have to settle for the second pick in the draft.

One year after trading Dwight Howard, the Magic actually have some talented guys on the roster. Glen Davis, Jameer Nelson and Arron Afflalo are solid, professional men who help young head coach Jacque Vaughn.

But there were some spectacular revelations in Orlando last season.

Nikola Vucevic, who was acquired in the Howard deal, finished third in the NBA in double-doubles last season. He averaged 13.1 ppg and 11.9 rpg. The center position appears to be manned for some time.

Tobias Harris came at the deadline in the J.J. Redick deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. He emerged into a bona fide scorer to go alongside another small- forward prospect, Moe Harkless, who was also acquired in the Howard trade.

Much like every scenario at the top of the draft, there are questions for the Magic. Reports linked them to Eric Bledsoe from the Clippers. If that happened, the point guard situation improves. It would cost them Afflalo and that would open the door for Kansas' Ben McLemore or Indiana's Victor Oladipo.

Who do you take? McLemore is a great shooter. Oladipo is a better defender and may be a better overall player. McLemore probably has the potential to be better.

If the Magic don't acquire Bledsoe, or another quality point guard, would they take Michigan's Trey Burke, the National Player of the Year, at No. 2? That's much higher than slotted for the undersized point guard, but Orlando could draft for need first and foremost.

Or, what if the Cleveland Cavaliers pass on Nerlens Noel? He would go to Orlando second.

Players Under Contract: G: Jameer Nelson; G: Arron Afflalo; F: Al Harrington; F: Glen Davis; C: Nikola Vucevic; F: Maurice Harkless; F: Tobias Harris; F: Andrew Nicholson; C: Kyle O'Quinn; G: E'Twaun Moore; G: Doron Lamb; F: Hedo Turkoglu (early termination option)

Free Agents: G: Beno Udrih; F: DeQuan Jones (restricted)

Recent Draft History: 2012: Andrew Nicholson (19), Kyle O'Quinn (49)

2011: DeAndre Liggins (53)

2010: Daniel Orton (29), Stanley Robinson (59)

2009: No picks

2008: Courtney Lee (22)

Draft picks: 1st round (2nd overall), 2nd round (51st overall)