Brendan, the blogger behind MVN’s Believing in Magic, sent in this NBA draft preview covering the Orlando Magic. There are still a handful a teams needing to be previewed, but Daily Basketball will post as many of them as possible before the draft tomorrow.

Previous season record: 40-42

Picks held: #44, #54

The 2007 NBA Draft is approaching rapidly, and the Orlando Magic isn’t really being talked about, with good reason. Orlando will head to New York on Thursday with just two second round picks, the 44th and 54th overall pick respectively.

Following a 40-42 record, Orlando let go of coach Brian Hill, signed and lost Billy Donovan, then settled on Stan Van Gundy, a winning coach who looks like he will be a good fit.

The off-season will be a crucial one for Orlando, who will try to re-sign rising, young big man, Darko Milicic, as well as bring in a top outside scorer through free agency. Rashard Lewis, a former second round pick, will be on the team’s  short wish list.

The Magic might also try to find their perimeter player through trade. Gilbert Arenas, another former second rounder, could also be if interest for Orlando but it might be tough to pull off a trade with the inter-division Wizards.

While the team will try to get their wing player through other means than the draft, a big man and a backup guard are also key needs for Orlando.

A team that has had little success with second round picks, Orlando will hope to turn their luck around and find another Arenas or Lewis in this year’s draft.

In the big man department, the team needs a tough post player who isn’t afraid to scrap or mix it up. While Glen Davis from LSU and Herbert Hill from Providence have been mentioned, I am high on another player. That guy is Stephane Lasme from UMass. He is like a more athletic Bo Outlaw, and he can come in and contribute right away. Lasme’s addition would be welcomed, and he could very well be around at 54.

Other names mentioned have been Aaron Gray from Pittsburgh, a big time performer in college, who may or may not find success in the NBA. At 44, he could be a good NBA back up, all that you can ask for in the second round.

While those big men could help contribute in a big way in Orlando, none will likely be all-stars. The Magic could also gamble on a high potential player who fell, and find the next Arenas.

There are several players who will fit that description. Gabe Pruitt, a point PG from USC could fall to Orlando at 44. He is a water-bug type player who could be a poor man’s Allen Iverson.

Another player who could be a high ceiling low floor type is Petteri Koponen, a traditional PG from Finland. He could also be a steal at 44.

While all the before mentioned players could contribute to the team, and even possibly become studs, there are several players the Magic could hope to free fall.

Marco Belinelli from Italy is a tremendous scorer that has drawn comparisons to Ray Allen and Manu Ginobili. He is a borderline first rounder, and if he fell, he could be a great perimeter player for Orlando.

Josh McRoberts from Duke, could also fall, and if he did, Orlando would jump on the consistent big man.

While they aren’t likely to make headlines in this year’s draft, Orlando will hope to find a potential play maker in the rough with their two second rounders. If the team can get even a five points, five rebound player like Lasme in the draft, it will considered a success for a team who’s best days aren’t far ahead.

Read more about the team at Brendan’s blog, Believing in Magic.