Injuries took away some of the growth the Orlando Magic showed in the 2023-24 season. However, an excellent first-round series for Paolo Banchero against the Boston Celtics must give Orlando fans a lot to be optimistic about. The series and the season also made the Magic’s biggest need crystal clear.
While their defense was elite all year long, the offense was far from spectacular. Particularly, they were among the worst shooting teams in the league. As a result, one analyst believes finding one of the best pure shooters in the draft might be their best way forward next season.
Orlando Magic Have to Address Biggest Weakness
Last season, the Magic finished as the second-best team in defensive rating, behind only the 68-win team Oklahoma City Thunder. However, their offense was far from excellent, ranking as the fourth-worst in the entire league.
A huge part of their offensive struggles where they ranked dead-last in the entire league, by a significant margin. At 31.8% on the year, the difference between them and the second-last placed Washington Wizards (33.5%) was equivalent to the difference between the Wizards and the 21st-placed Houston Rockets (35.3%).
As a result, their area of need is plain as day. And Kevin O’Connor, in his latest mock draft, has the ideal solution, in the form of Jase Richardson, who, unlike his father, highlight-reel Jason Richardson, is walking into the NBA with a lethal stroke.
The reasoning for the pick is simple. “It would be a gift from the basketball gods if Richardson lands in Orlando’s lap at this pick. The Magic ranked 25th in 3-point attempts and last in percentage. It’d be a shocker if the Magic didn’t draft someone who can shoot at this spot.”
Jase Richardson is a combo guard who has the ability to play on or off the ball at a high level in the NBA.
The Michigan State product is a very good shot-maker at all three levels. Silky smooth pull-up from the mid-range and behind the arc. Thrives as a spot-up shooter where he… pic.twitter.com/Mwr1mhhsuI
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) May 27, 2025
As far as the second-generation star is concerned, O’Connor wrote, “Richardson is one of the best shooters in the class after making 45.7% of his catch-and-shoot 3s at Michigan State.” But his offensive game extends far beyond just jump shooting.
“He is a skilled combo guard with a lethal midrange game and a poised pick-and-roll feel, looking like he downloaded the experience of his NBA veteran father, Jason Richardson.” For the Spartans, he totaled 12.1 points while shooting 49.3% from the field and 41.2% from 3-point range.
His elite efficiency would be a boon for Orlando. But his overall skill set could finally find them the ideal starting guard after dealing with specialist archetypes over the last few seasons. The pick is such a no-brainer that the latest mock draft from PFSN, too, had Richardson pencilled in to the Magic.
“Richardson’s scoring instincts, two-way versatility, and high feel for the game make him an intriguing fit in Orlando,” Brandon Austin wrote about him, before adding, “On the defensive end, he brings intensity, awareness, and strong off-ball instincts.”
While matching the existing formula for the Magic, Richardson could be the perfect player to play alongside Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. Moreover, with defenses focused on those two, he’ll have ample room to develop into a stud quickly.
