3 hours Ago By Jason Beede
BOSTON — Although the Magic are hoping to extend their season further by advancing in the playoffs, Orlando learned of its first-round positioning for June’s NBA draft on Monday night. Based on their .500 winning percentage, the Magic already knew they owned the No.
16 pick. But it was determined through league tiebreakers that Orlando will also hold the No. 25 pick in the first round of the draft that starts June 25.
The selection was acquired from Denver in 2021 when the Magic sent forward Aaron Gordon to the Nuggets in exchange for guard Gary Harris , rookie R.J. Hampton and Denver’s top-5 protected 2025 first-round pick.
The tiebreaker was needed because Nuggets (50-32) finished with the same record as the Lakers, Pacers and Clippers. The pick could have ended up anywhere Nos. 22-25.
The Lakers won the tiebreaker Monday and second, third, and fourth place in the tiebreaker drawings went to Indiana, the LA Clippers, and Denver, respectively. The NBA draft scouting combine will be held in Chicago May 11-18. For the second year in a row, the draft will hold a two-night format.
The first round will be held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn June 25 and the second round will follow the next night. The Magic also hold the No. 46 and No.
57 picks in the second round, the latter of which they acquired from their first-round playoff opponent, Boston , in a previous trade. Jason Beede can be reached at [email protected].
