NBA Draft History: Previous No. 18 Pick A Blueprint for Magic?

For the first time since 2020, the Orlando Magic's first-round position in the NBA Draft was known before the lottery took place. With Orlando going 47-35 and earning the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Magic landed the No. 18 overall pick in the first round and No. 47 in the second round. While picking outside of the lottery is further proof of the Magic's success this season, the later first-round selection also makes landing a top prospect in what's touted as a weak draft class more difficult. The last All-Star taken with the No. 18 overall pick was power forward David West, who was drafted in 2003.