GM Hammond: All-Star possible with sixth pick

The Orlando Magic have reached yet another critical juncture in their rebuilding effort.

The 2017 NBA Draft, which will be held Thursday, will give the Magic an opportunity to infuse their roster with talent.

The Magic own the sixth, 25th, 33rd and 35th picks.

The draft also is intriguing because it will be the Magic’s first draft under their new president of basketball operations, Jeff Weltman.

Weltman will have the final say on the Magic’s draft-day decisions. But John Hammond, the team’s new general manager, is expected to play an influential role.

The Orlando Sentinel spoke with Hammond about the upcoming draft.

What will be the team’s approach to picking sixth? Will the team go for the best player available or will the team attempt to fill a positional need?

“I think that our mindset today is fairly clear and definitive. We are going to be looking to draft the best player on the board with the sixth pick.”

What’s the rationale there? Is it an attempt to find a player you can build around?