The Orlando Magic paid a steep price to trade up to No. 32 in the 2025 NBA Draft to select French forward Noah Penda. However, PFSN’s Brandon Austin expects the move to pay off.
Orlando sent picks No. 46 and 57, a 2026 second-rounder and a 2027 second-rounder to the Boston Celtics in exchange for No. 32, eliciting surprise on Thursday’s broadcast.
The upstart franchise adds a versatile forward hailed for his switchability, connective playmaking and winning mindset. Here’s how PFSN graded the pick.
Magic Earn an A Grade for Trading Up for Noah Penda
In his 2025 NBA Draft grades, Austin awarded Orlando an A for its second-round selection of Penda, citing his “legitimate first-round grade” on PFSN’s board.
Austin says that Penda, who most recently played for Le Mans in France, is ready to make an instant impact for a Magic squad looking to take the next step.
“Penda is an NBA-ready forward with elite physical tools, versatile defensive instincts and nonstop energy,” Austin wrote. “At 6’8″, 225 pounds, and armed with a 6-foot-11.5 wingspan, the 20-year-old French product already plays with the maturity and anticipation of a seasoned pro.
“His two-way presence, defensive versatility and flashes of high-level playmaking make him one of the more compelling international prospects in this class. He thrives in passing lanes, rotates well as a weak-side rim protector and can switch across multiple positions defensively.”
The Orlando Magic have selected Noah Penda with the No. 32 pick. He will be on their roster.
Strong feel for the game, an outstanding passer, and brings excellent versatility defensively, making plays all over the floor with his 7-foot wingspan and strong anticipation skills. pic.twitter.com/T5zf8rMst8
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2025
However, Austin noted that the Frenchman still has to refine his outside shot to reach his full potential after shooting just 31.4% from 3-point range this past season.
“Offensively, he’s still a work in progress, he’ll need to continue building strength and polishing his jumper, but the foundation is solid,” Austin wrote.
“His size, motor and instincts give him real 3-and-D potential, with room to grow into a secondary playmaker. If the jumper comes along and he tightens up his handle, Penda could have a long runway in today’s NBA. His selfless approach and defensive upside suggest the Magic may have been right to pay the price.”
Over 37 contests with Le Mans, Penda averaged 10.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.4 blocks per game, shooting 44.9%.
Penda Should Fit Into Magic’s Defensive Identity
Orlando is coming off a middling, injury-riddled 41-41 season. Even so, it finished with the NBA’s No. 2 defensive rating (109.0), trailing only the eventual NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Penda’s size and ability to defend multiple positions should further fortify the team’s elite defense built around star forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
The offense-starved Magic also have outside shooting reinforcements incoming after trading for Desmond Bane earlier this month and drafting Michigan State sharpshooting guard Jase Richardson in Round 1.
Bane is a career 41.0% 3-point shooter, while Richardson shot 41.2% from beyond the arc in his freshman season. As such, both should boost the franchise’s league-worst 31.8% long-range shooting mark.
Austin gave Orlando an A+ grade for selecting Richardson at No. 25, signaling a highly successful two-day stretch for the aspiring Eastern Conference contender.
