The Orlando Magic selected Chuma Okeke with the 16th pick in the 2019 draft. It is still early, but it can be said that they may have wasted the pick. Okeke has been practically non-existent for Orlando in his career.
Everyone knew Okeke had a knee injury in the NCAA tournament that season. Everyone knew Chuma’s rookie season would be lost. With his recovery from the injury, any games played would have been a bonus. The Magic played it safe and kept him out last season.
During the brief preseason, Okeke looked rusty. He was a player in his first NBA games after missing a full season. He looked like a guy trying to get his legs under him. There were bright spots and there needed to be. Orlando was looking for him to be a part of the team’s rotation.
Unfortunately for Okeke and the Orlando Magic, his season has not been what they were hoping for. Okeke has only played in five games and is shooting 35.7% from the field and 28.6% from three. He’s also only averaging three points per game.
Welcome to the @OrlandoMagic… @chuma_okeke! pic.twitter.com/PaLtv87Q1o
— NBA (@NBA) June 22, 2019
When drafted, Okeke projected as a three and D wing. So far, he’s mostly been injured and has five career games under his belt. He’s been out since January 1st with a bone bruise on his left knee. While Okeke does show talent, it is fair to wonder if the Magic could have done better with their draft pick.
Were there players better than Chuma Okeke for the Orlando Magic?
Matisse Thybulle was drafted after Chuma. He has struggled with his shooting, but he has been a plus defender ever since his debut. More importantly, he has been available for the Philadelphia 76ers. Although the Magic already has a fair share of guys who struggle shooting the ball, a lockdown defender would fit in with Steve Clifford’s style of play.
If the Magic wanted shooting, players like Keldon Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker might have been good fits for them. They could have also drafted Brandon Clarke who is averaging 13 points and 6 rebounds at power forward for the Memphis Grizzlies. All of these players were drafted after Okeke.
Chuma Okeke’s ceiling may be higher than just about everyone drafted after him. Will it matter if he never hits his ceiling. Would the Orlando Magic have been better off drafting more of a sure product like Eric Paschall? If they really wanted to take a big risk, should they have drafted Bol Bol instead? Only time will tell. Right now, things are not looking great for the Magic or Chuma Okeke.
