Jamahl Mosley finally got his magic moment.
The Orlando coach didn't see a ton of highs in his first year and change in charge of the struggling franchise. The Magic went 22-60 in 2021-22, finishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, a place they have lingered in for much of the past decade.
The franchise's future just got a little brighter on Tuesday evening, however. The lottery balls fell in the Magic's direction, gifting them the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
It is the fourth time the Magic have received the No. 1 pick; they won the lottery in 1992 (Shaquille O'Neal), 1993 (Chris Webber, who they then traded for Penny Hardaway) and 2004 (Dwight Howard).
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Mosley was Orlando's representative at the draft lottery. Decked in a smooth navy blue blazer and a matching tie to boot, Mosley exuded calmness, almost as if he was always supposed to be there.
That wasn't always the case. Orlando had planned to send Jeff Weltman, the team's president of basketball operations. Weltman had attended the 2018 and 2021 draft lotteries on behalf of the Magic, the last two lotteries that the organization had participated in.
Mosley was feeling good, though. His son, along with Orlando assistant coach Nate Tippets and Magic point guard Cole Anthony, all had birthdays on Sunday, reports ESPN's Zach Lowe.
Mosley also attended the memorial service for the father of one of his closest friends, a man Mosley viewed as a mentor, per Lowe.
"I thought someone would be watching over me," Mosley said.
So, he went to Weltman and asked if he could take his place on the podium.
"I told Jeff I was feeling lucky," Mosley said.
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Last-second changes among team representatives are unusual at the draft lottery. However, the league let the Magic make the switch, and it worked out perfectly in Orlando's favor.
LITERALLY pic.twitter.com/jPZ1aCuzua
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) May 18, 2022
The Magic now have a chance to add a franchise-altering prospect to an already intriguing young core. Franz Wagner, Orlando's No. 8 pick last year, showed real promise as a two-way wing, averaging 15.2 points per game on good efficiency. Anthony, the Magic's 2020 first-round selection, made some strides as a creator, although the shot still has a way to go. And Jalen Suggs, the Magic's No. 5 last year, is only 20 years old.
The prospect of adding Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren, Auburn's Jabari Smith or Duke's Paolo Banchero is exciting for the franchise.
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All three are especially alluring given Orlando's push for two-way threats in recent years. Holmgren projects as a fantastic weakside defender; Smith is a smooth 6-foot-10 wing who looks capable of sitting on ball-handlers while also contesting shots at the rim; and Banchero has the size and athleticism to slot into multiple positions and defend at a high level.
Simply put, the Magic are in a decent position. And for that, they have to give credit to Mosley and his luck.
