The Magic left with what they came for in the Draft. With only 11 3-point shots scored on average per game, at a 35.2% success rate, the Magic were the team that took the fewest outside shots in the NBA this season. And it was felt during the first round of the playoffs against the Cavaliers.
Bringing shooting is therefore the summer project for Jeff Weltman. Before the “free agency” in which the Magic is interested in Paul George or even Klay Thompson, the manager returns from the Draft with Tristan Da Silva, a reliable shooter (39.5% from afar) on the Colorado side in the NCAA.
“Our goal going into this Draft was to add shooting, technique, basketball IQ and size. Checking these four boxes at pick 18 is a good day’s work for us”, evaluates Magic GM. “Tristan (Da Silva) is a very unique player. He is exceptionally gifted. »
Da Silva seems determined to find a place in the rotation
The Orlando front office and Colorado talent met twice before the Draft. First time during the NBA Combine then during a “workout” with the franchise.
“We met several times,” confirms Jeff Weltman. “More importantly, he came to visit us and we got to know him through those two meetings. We’re obviously doing a lot of background work.”
After four years at university, it was time for the Munich native to make the big leap to the NBA. His sense of the game and his shooting should give him a place in the squad, but his age will not give him any privileges, even if he is older than certain players in the squad like Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero or Anthony Black.
“There is no pressure because of a player's age to fit into the squad straight away,” warns Jeff Weltman. “ He must earn every minute he has available. He still has to come in like any other rookie and get to know the league. »
A challenge that the German is ready to take on. “ I'm the guy who comes in and makes sure I can contribute.”he announces. “I'm going to do the things I know I can do at a high level and work every day. »
