While the Magic took a swing earlier in Keon Johnson, Corey Kispert is one of the best shooters in recent memory, and should, at the very least, be a decent role player.
The Orlando Magic have several high-upside players on their roster already – Cole Anthony, RJ Hampton, the newly-added Keon Johnson (in this mock), and Wendell Carter. Getting a different skill set – a pure shooter – in Kispert could benefit that core of players – giving them a consistent scoring force from the small forward position.
NBA Mock Draft: Magic take safe shooter in Corey Kispert
Kispert is nothing flashy – he just makes 3-pointers, moves well-off ball, and was average at the college level in terms of defending and rebounding.
That said, he isn’t as athletic as other players available, isn’t going to battle down low, and isn’t going to create much for others.
That said, everything else he gives you should be able to make up for those misgivings.
And by everything, I pretty much just mean shooting well. If Kispert doesn’t shoot 38-plus percent from three at the NBA level, it would be shocking – and even that number is probably a conservative estimate.
The Magic cannot afford to miss on both of their draft picks – so even if Keon Johnson does not work out – adding a high-floor player such as Kispert could generally benefit the team, even if he does not become a star player.
The best teams aren’t built in a day – the Magic have a long rebuilding process ahead of them. But diversifying their assets into two very different players along the wings is going to be their best option, even if it isn’t sexy.