Caleb Houstan Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Magic Roster
Jun 24, 2022
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MARCH 24: Caleb Houstan #22 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 Round at AT&T Center on March 24, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic selected Michigan guard Caleb Houstan with the No. 32 pick in the 2022 NBA draft Thursday.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report
Player: Caleb Houstan
Position: SG
Height: 6'8"
Pro Comparison: Kevin Knox II
Scouting Report: Houstan's shooting for a 6'8" teenager remains appealing, even if his lack of athleticism and creativity became evident during his first year at Michigan.
Houstan averaged 10.1 points on 38.4 percent shooting (35.5 percent from three) and 4.0 rebounds in his lone season at Michigan. He was a consensus 5-star recruit who was ranked in the top seven by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports.
The high point of the 19-year-old's season came in late February, when he scored 21 points in back-to-back games against Rutgers and Illinois.
Houstan also had a big game in Michigan's first-round men's NCAA tournament win against Colorado State, hitting back-to-back three-pointers midway through the second half to help his team pull away in a 75-63 win. He finished with 13 points.
The No. 11 seed Wolverines then upset No. 3 Tennessee before falling to No. 2 Villanova in the Sweet Sixteen.
The Canadian was just one of two Wolverines, alongside Eli Brooks, who started all 34 games for Michigan last season.
NBA Rumors: Magic's Terrence Ross on Trade Block Ahead of 2022 Draft
Jun 18, 2022
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 09: Terrence Ross #31 of the Orlando Magic reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 09, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Now that the 2021-22 NBA season is officially over, it's time for the annual tradition of Terrence Ross trade rumors.
Per HoopsHype.com's Michael Scotto, the Orlando Magic swingman is available with rival clubs hoping the team will lower its asking price to multiple second-round draft picks.
Ross was arguably the NBA's most-discussed trade candidate leading up to the February trade deadline who wound up not getting moved.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics were frequently mentioned as potential landing spots for Ross if he was dealt during the season.
Per Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, the Celtics were building a package around Dennis Schroder, another player and "likely a draft pick" for Ross.
Schroder wound up being traded to the Houston Rockets in a package for Daniel Theis.
The Athletic's Shams Charania noted early in the 2021-22 season that the Magic "have sought draft capital—such as a first-round pick—in talks" for Ross.
It's unclear at this point if the Magic are going to insist on a first-round draft pick in return for Ross.
There does seem to be a strong possibility that Ross will get traded this offseason. He told Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel in April that he was expecting to be dealt in March 2021 in the wake of the trades that sent Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier out of Orlando.
"They kind of were making that move already when they started trading the other guys," Ross said. "They just didn’t get around to me. They told me that’s what they were planning to do with me."
Ross' contract might actually help to facilitate a trade. The 31-year-old is entering the final season of his deal with an $11.5 million expiring salary. His production dropped off with just 10.0 points and 2.6 rebounds with a 39.7 field-goal percentage .
The Magic have the potential to jump-start their rebuild in the 2022 NBA draft. They have the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 2004. Adding a high-ceiling rookie to a roster and potentially acquiring a long-term asset by dealing Ross would be a huge step forward for the organization.
Jabari Smith Only Holding Workouts with Magic, Thunder Ahead of 2022 NBA Draft
Jun 9, 2022
AUBURN, AL - JANUARY 22: Jabari Smith #10 of the Auburn Tigers reacts late in the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Auburn Arena on January 22, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Auburn star Jabari Smith apparently doesn't expect to wait long to hear his name on the night of the 2022 NBA draft.
Smith worked out for the Orlando Magic, who have the No. 1 pick, on Thursday.
The 6'10" forward indicated he has another workout on the schedule with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who will select second overall. And that's the extent of his predraft workouts for the time being.
Smith is widely considered to be one of the best players in the 2022 draft class, and it might be a bit of a surprise if he were to slip to the Houston Rockets with the third pick.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman ranked Smith as the No. 3 player on his big board but projected him to go No. 1 to the Magic:
This was a fitting year for the Magic to win the lottery, as they can finally add the franchise big man they've needed to pair with Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner. Smith figures to be the target for the NBA's No. 29 offense and No. 28 three-point shooting team. He'll give Orlando's guards a target to kick to or feature around the post. And though it's unclear what will happen with restricted free agent Mo Bamba, they'd pair well together because of Smith's perimeter skills and Bamba's shot-blocking.
The 19-year-old checks all of the boxes teams are looking for with a modern big. In his only year at Auburn, he averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocks. He also shot 42.9 percent from the floor and 42.0 percent from beyond the arc.
And unlike with Gonzaga star Chet Holmgren, there isn't much concern about whether Smith can absorb the kind of physicality he'll encounter at the next level.
The NBA draft is always difficult to forecast, and that can start at the very top. As good as Smith is, he's not the clear consensus favorite.
In addition to Holmgren, the Magic could plausibly take Duke star Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 player on Wasserman's board. The same goes for the Thunder if they have some combination of Smith, Holmgren or Banchero available.
But it's understandable the Rockets aren't really on Smith's radar right now given how highly he's regarded.
NBA Draft 2022 Rumors: Magic 'Leaning Toward' Chet Holmgren with No. 1 Overall Pick
May 23, 2022
Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren (34) moves the ball against Georgia State during the second half of a first round NCAA college basketball tournament game, Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
For the next month, the main question in NBA draft circles will be a simple one: What are the Orlando Magic going to do with the top overall pick?
According to Sam Vecenie and John Hollinger of The Athletic, some of Hollinger's NBA sources believe the Magic "are leaning toward selecting Chet Holmgren. Of course, that would play to their type. This front office's track record reveals an obsession with length, so one can easily connect the dots there."
But that report added that "some league insiders immediately second-guessed that first instinct. Are the Magic just playing on their length-based reputation to bait Oklahoma City into trading up from No. 2? Let the game of smoke signals begin."
Since the Magic hired Jeff Weltman to serve as president of basketball operations and John Hammond as general manager in May 2017, the team has undoubtedly focused on length and athleticism at the NBA draft.
Whether that approach has borne fruit is a fair question:
2017 notable picks: Jonathan Isaac (No. 6 overall)
2018 notable picks: Mo Bamba (No. 6 overall)
2019 notable picks: Chuma Okeke (No. 16 overall)
2020 notable picks: Cole Anthony (No. 15 overall)
2021 notable picks: Jalen Suggs (No. 5 overall) and Franz Wagner (No. 8 overall)
While a torn ACL has cost Isaac the past two seasons, when healthy, he's looked like a potential franchise cornerstone, especially on the defensive end. He averaged 2.3 blocks per game in the 2019-20 season. Keeping him healthy, however, is vitally important.
While it might be harsh to label Bamba a bust, it's fair to argue he hasn't lived up to his No. 6 overall billing. He averaged 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 69 starts this season, shooting a solid 38.1 percent from three.
His ability to protect the rim and stretch the floor on offense makes him a fit in the modern NBA, but with Isaac set to return, Wendell Carter Jr. on the roster and Holmgren a potential draft selection, his time in Orlando appears to be over.
B/R's Jake Fischer reported last week there is an "expectation among league personnel that Bamba, a restricted free agent this summer, is likely to depart the franchise, especially after being considered a trade candidate prior to February’s trade deadline."
Power forward Okeke has largely come off the bench for the Magic the past two seasons, averaging 8.3 points and 4.6 rebounds, though his perimeter shooting (32.6 percent from three) remains a concern.
Anthony, at 6'2" and 185 pounds, broke that length trend for the Magic, though he's also outplayed his draft slot, averaging a solid 16.3 points and 5.7 assists in 65 starts for the Magic this past season. He looks like an excellent value selection.
Finally, the jury is still out on rookies Suggs (11.8 PPG, 4.4 APG) and Wagner (15.2 PPG), though both played well this year, particularly Wagner. Both look like potential franchise cornerstones going forward.
What the Magic don't appear to have yet is a true superstar to build around. The hope will be that they find with the top overall pick.
Holmgren, however, represents an interesting philosophical debate for teams. On one hand, he's a natural rim protector (3.7 BPG) who also showed the ability to score on all three levels during his time at Gonzaga (14.1 PPG, 39.0 percent from three). He appears to be the rare center prospect who can protect the rim, is athletic enough to handle switches on the perimeter and can score at a high level on the other end.
If he bulks up, he could be a force.
Spent some time with potential top pick Chet Holmgren in Santa Barbara. We broke down film and talked through some of his go-to moves on the court. Here’s a portion of the interview that aired this afternoon on NBA Today. Much more to come on ESPN YouTube. pic.twitter.com/5A7C46olIU
On the other hand, it is hard to build around a center as a team's best player. Lengthy, athletic two-way wings and point guards who score at a high level seem to rule the postseason year after year. Neither MVP Nikola Jokic or MVP runner-up Joel Embiid are currently playing in the conference finals.
Meanwhile, the "big men" who have had the most playoff success in recent years are marvels like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant. The former is a unique combination of facilitator, elite defender and runaway freight train when he drives to the basket, and the latter is an elite shooting guard in a seven-foot frame.
Is Holmgren that level of unicorn? Is he even a better prospect than players like Jabari Smith or Paolo Banchero? Would players like Jokic and Embiid claim titles with better perimeter supporting casts?
Those are the types of questions the Magic will be pondering heading into this year's draft.
NBA Draft 2022 Rumors: Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Top Choices for Magic at No. 1
May 19, 2022
CHICAGO,IL - MAY 17: NBA Prospect, Chet Holmgren poses for a portrait during the 2022 NBA Draft Combine Circuit on May 17, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
Auburn's Jabari Smith and Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren are reportedly the clubhouse leaders to be taken with the No. 1 overall pick in June's NBA draft.
"This is the draft lottery of the power forwards and three very different players," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said on his podcast. "We'll see how this shakes out, but certainly I think Chet Holmgren of Gonzaga and Jabari Smith of Auburn... I think the consensus right now is those are really the two players competing for No. 1 with the Magic."
The Orlando Magic won the No. 1 overall pick in the draft at Tuesday's lottery. This is the first time the Magic have won the lottery since 2004 when they selected Dwight Howard.
The team previously won the Shaquille O'Neal lottery in 1992 and then again a year later, which saw them select Chris Webber and then trade him as part of a deal for Penny Hardaway.
Holmgren spent most of the early part of the draft process as the consensus No. 1 pick but has been caught by Smith in many circles.
Smith emerged as one of the best shot-makers in the country during his freshman campaign at Auburn, all while showing elite versatility on the defensive end. His switchability on defense, combined with his range and smooth shooting stroke at 6'10", make him a near-ideal modern 4.
Holmgren arguably has the highest upside of any player in this class. He's a lanky 7-footer with excellent rim-protection skills, guard-like handles in the open court and the ability to stretch the floor with a three-point shot. That said, there are significant concerns about his lack of bulk, which impacts him as a finisher near the rim and against stronger bigs who can muscle him in the paint.
If Holmgren were guaranteed to add 35 pounds without losing any of his quickness and guard skills, he would be the No. 1 pick. Smith is a player with a more straightforward projection, and that could be attractive to a Magic team desperate to find a building-block talent for their rebuild.
Magic News: Who Experts Expect Team to Select With No. 1 Pick
May 18, 2022
Auburn forward Jabari Smith plays against Jacksonville State during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday, March 18, 2022, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
The Orlando Magic selected forwards or centers with their three previous No. 1 overall picks in the NBA draft.
Orlando will likely follow that trend in the 2022 NBA draft because of the available prospects and their team needs.
Orlando won the draft lottery on Tuesday night, and immediately after, a majority of draft experts linked it with Auburn forward Jabari Smith.
Smith appears to be the best fit inside the current Orlando offense, and he could be preferred over Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero next month.
Jabari Smith
Most experts agree that Jabari Smith is now the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick.
The Auburn product could be an ideal fit alongside Cole Anthony, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs inside the young Orlando offense.
Wasserman pointed out that Smith's skill set complements the stars on the Orlando roster and that he will not conflict with Mo Bamba if the center returns to central Florida.
"He'll give Orlando's guards a target to kick to or feature around the post. And though it's unclear what will happen with restricted free agent Mo Bamba, they'd pair well together because of Smith's perimeter skills and Bamba's shot-blocking."
Smith averaged 16.9 points per game in his lone season at Auburn. He shot 42.9 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range.
Smith's three-point numbers have to be intriguing to the Magic because they can use him in a variety of roles in offensive sets.
The 6'10" forward would join Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Webber and Dwight Howard as No. 1 overall picks chosen by the Magic if he goes first in June.
If Smith has half the career those three players had, he could be a rousing success in Orlando.
Banchero's overall performances at Duke made him one of the top prospects in the draft class, and there is a chance he could be chosen first over Smith.
"Banchero has maintained his status as our top prospect from the very start of this draft cycle because of his striking combination of size and offensive skill," O'Donnell wrote. "At 6’10, 250 pounds, Banchero has the ball handling and live dribble passing chops of a guard with multiple avenues to produce points for himself and his teammates."
Banchero checks in at the same size as Smith, and he was a slightly better scorer at the collegiate level with 17.2 points per game.
The most striking difference between Smith and Banchero is three-point shooting percentage. Banchero was only a 33.8 percent shooter from deep.
Banchero did not have to take a ton of three-point shots at Duke because he had A.J. Griffin and others around him on the perimeter.
However, it is notable that Banchero shot that percentage while averaging 3.3 three-point attempts per contest.
The sample size is large enough to be criticized, and that might be the difference between going first, second or third in the 2022 NBA draft.
Orlando Magic Win 2022 NBA Draft Lottery, Jabari Smith Jr. Favorite to Go No. 1
May 18, 2022
NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum announces that the Orlando Magic hadwon the sixth pick during the NBA basketball draft lottery Tuesday, May 15, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Orlando Magic were the lucky winners of the NBA draft lottery Tuesday night, giving them the top overall pick in June's NBA draft. The Oklahoma City Thunder will select second, with the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Detroit Pistons rounding out the top five.
Other likely considerations for the top overall selection are expected to be Gonzaga big man Chet Holmgren—who played with Magic guard Jalen Suggs at Minnehaha (Minneapolis) Academy—and Duke forward Paolo Banchero:
Quick thoughts on lotto with mock coming...
-3 bigs seem to fit well in Orlando. I'd go Paolo but guess is Jabari
-Love Chet in OKC. Would love to see him + Giddey. Strong guard play + freedom to experiment seems good for Chet
The Magic being in a position to take whichever big man they want out of Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith or Paolo Banchero, along with having Wendell Carter signed long-term could mean that they move on from Mo Bamba.
Orlando can create up to $28M in cap space, along with #1 pick.
As for the Magic, they've nailed every draft for which they've held the top overall pick.
In 2014, they selected future Hall of Famer Dwight Howard at No. 1. In 1993, they selected Hall of Famer Chris Webber, though they traded him to the Golden State Warriors for Penny Hardaway—the No. 3 overall pick in that draft—and a slew of future picks.
While Hardaway's career was ultimately beset by injuries, he was still a four-time All-Star and two-time first-team All-NBA selection who helped the Magic reach the playoffs five times and the NBA Finals. He was also a much better fit with the team's franchise player at the time.
That player—and Hardaway's running mate on that Finals team—was of course the top overall pick in the 1992 draft, Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal. While all four of O'Neal's championships came after he left the Magic, he still dominated in his four years with the franchise and was a home run selection.
So the top overall pick has treated Orlando well in the past. If they nail it this year, the Magic will be in good shape with an intriguing young core centered around Suggs, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr. and Cole Anthony.
Magic's Markelle Fultz to Return from ACL Injury vs. Pacers
Feb 26, 2022
Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) drives to the basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz will return to the floor for the first time in over a year on Monday against the Indiana Pacers.
Fultz, 23, suffered a torn ACL in January 2021 that caused him to miss the majority of the 2020-21 season. He appeared in just eight games, averaging 12.9 points and 5.4 assists per game.
The 2017 No. 1 overall draft pick did show his potential in 2019-20, appearing in 72 of 73 possible regular-season games with Orlando while averaging 12.1 points, 5.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
He helped the Magic secure the No. 8 seed in the playoffs that year before earning a three-year, $50 million extension.
Though the knee injury tempered expectations, Fultz is looking to rebound and take advantage of his enormous upside.
Celtics Trade Rumors: Bol Bol, PJ Dozier Traded to Magic for 2nd-Round Draft Pick
Feb 10, 2022
MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 29: Bol Bol #10 of the Denver Nuggets in action against the Miami Heat during the second half at FTX Arena on November 29, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics are reportedly trading Bol Bol, PJ Dozier, cash and a future second-round draft pick to the Orlando Magic for a future second-rounder.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who broke the news, reported that this is a cost-saving move for the 31-25 Celtics. ESPN's Bobby Marks broke down why:
The trade puts Boston under the luxury tax
They will also create a $2.1M and $1.9M TE
Bol and Dozier are on expiring contracts
Bol has $707K remaining on his $2.1M contract and Dozier $626K on his $1.9M salary.
Boston acquired Bol and Dozier on Jan. 19 from the Denver Nuggets in a three-team trade that also involved the San Antonio Spurs.
Both players are out for the season, with Bol recovering from right foot surgery and Dozier suffering a torn ACL in his left knee last November.
The 7'2" Bol, who is the son of two-time NBA blocks leader Manute Bol, only saw the court for 81 minutes over 14 games this year. The third-year player out of Oregon has averaged 2.4 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.
Dozier, a five-year NBA veteran, was a fixture in Denver's rotation off the bench. He averaged 5.4 points and 3.5 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game this season.
While their Celtic careers are now over without either of them playing a game for the team, it appears both will get their shots to contribute to the rebuilding Magic once they are healthy in 2022-23.
NBA Rumors: Magic's Robin Lopez Generating Trade Interest from Teams Before Deadline
Feb 4, 2022
Orlando Magic's Robin Lopez, left, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The rebuilding Orlando Magic sit with the NBA's worst record at 12-41 with just six days remaining before the NBA trade deadline.
According to longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein, center Robin Lopez has caught the eye of some teams.
"While Magic veterans Terrence Ross and Gary Harris remain available, I’m told that teams seeking a proven big man have registered interest in Orlando’s Robin Lopez," Stein wrote.
Lopez, 33, is averaging 8.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game. The 7-footer has been moved out of the rotation, with most of the big-men minutes going to Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba.
The well-traveled Lopez has played for the Phoenix Suns, then-New Orleans Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards and Magic over his 14-year NBA career.
He signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Magic last offseason. Orlando has a mix of younger players and veterans, but the time is clearly in a rebuilding phase, with the future centered around players such as Cole Anthony, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr., Jalen Suggs and Mo Bamba.
That somewhat makes Lopez an odd man out as the team sits well outside of the playoff picture with 29 games remaining in the 2021-22 season. He'd be best-served helping out a postseason contender as veteran depth rather than riding the bench.
The Magic have until 3 p.m. ET on Thursday if they want to capitalize on the reported interest.
