NBA Draft 2015: All the Latest News Surrounding the Orlando Magic

Holders of the fifth pick in the 2015 NBA draft, the Orlando Magic and general manager Rob Hennigan have made it clear they're tired of drafting in the lottery. After patiently rebuilding in the wake of Dwight Howard's trade demand, Orlando is ready to get aggressive. 

The Magic ushered in a new era of urgency in May when they hired Scott Skiles as their new head coach. He will demand professionalism and intensity from his young roster, and he is a perfect fit for a team loaded with defensive potential.

Despite the success of center Nikola Vucevic, the development of guards Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton and the potential of Aaron Gordon, Orlando still has sizable holes to fill on its roster.

The Magic finished 22nd in the NBA in three-pointers made and 29th in blocked shots—two areas where they're unlikely to get help from their developing nucleus. 

Picking fifth, Orlando is in a great position to upgrade the roster, potentially to the point where it's ready to compete for a playoff spot in the depleted Eastern Conference. Can the Magic find a player who fits a need, and are they willing to be patient as that player develops?

According to NBA.com, Orlando did make one trade on Wednesday, trading backup point guard Luke Ridnour to Memphis for "Euro stash" Janis Timma and clearing a roster spot for added flexibility. 

Here's the latest news surrounding Orlando heading into the draft.

What are the mock drafts saying?

• DraftExpress.com: Justice Winslow, SF, Duke
• Chad Ford, ESPN.com: Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
• David Aldridge, NBA.com: Mario Hezonja, SF, Croatia
• Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report: Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia
• Chris Mannix, SI.com: Justice Winslow, SF, Duke

Duke's Winslow may be the safest pick of the above options, since he won a national championship and proved himself at the highest level of college basketball. Still, it's hard to see how he'd fit in next to Payton, Oladipo and Gordon, as none of them can shoot. 

Porzingis and Hezonja are more intriguing options. Both have the skill to transform Orlando's offense, but the question remains of just how well they'll adapt to the NBA game. 

The Magic have been active on the trade front

Nearly every major media outlet is reporting that Orlando has been active in trade talks. In his mock draft posted Thursday morning, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix says Orlando is keeping all options on the table:

"

The Magic have been active and trade talks and executives that have talked to Orlando say they are willing to move up, down or out of the draft for a good deal. The Magic love Porzingis, and sources say Porzingis's team prefers Orlando, but without a trade, it's unlikely Porzingis is available here.

"

ESPN's Ford corroborates Mannix's report:

While Hennigan has been quiet leading up to the draft, he did concede to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel that trading down is an option for the team. “I would say we've talked to at least a half-dozen teams about it," the GM said. "So it's something we're definitely considering and weighing sincerely: potentially moving back."

One thing that does seem certain is Vucevic won’t be on the move.

Brian Schmitz, also of the Orlando Sentinel, refuted a report by ESPN’s Marc Stein that Orlando could ship Vucevic to the Kings in a three-team deal involving the Lakers.

"

League source tells Orlando Sentinel that Magic are not part of proposed 3-way trade that includes Nik Vucevic, contrary to ESPN's report.

— Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) June 23, 2015"

Plenty can still change, but it appears Orlando's leading scorer will return next season.

International waters are safe

You can forgive Magic fans if they’re wary of international prospects. Some of them are still waiting for Fran Vazquez to join the team after Orlando selected him with the 11th pick in 2005.

As noted above, Porzingis would be happy in Orlando. In his excellent feature piece, Bleacher Report’s David Pick mentioned Hezonja’s father also likes what the Magic have to offer: "Orlando are serious and could be a good landing spot with Scott Skiles as coach and Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton as rising stars."

With no avenues closed, there's no reason to believe Orlando won't come away with a solid starter Thursday night, be it through trade or execution of the fifth pick. After the Magic have accumulated only 68 wins over the past three seasons, anything less would be unacceptable.