NBA Draft: Emmanuel Mudiay Likely to Be Out of Mix for Orlando
Chad Ford has reported Emmanuel Mudiay is working out with the top-four teams in the NBA Draft.
With NBA Draft prospects beginning to work out for teams, sometimes it is just as notable which guys fail to work out for a given team, as those who actually do run through the drills for a GM. This draft, it is Emmanuel Mudiay who is likely to be out of reach for the Orlando Magic.
Emmanuel Mudiay is doing what it takes to increase his stock. Chad Ford of ESPN reports he has scheduled workouts with the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves. He is auditioning for the four teams that all select in front of the Magic. And if he impresses, that has deep-cutting implications for Orlando’s selection.
Mudiay going in the top-four would likely ensure the Magic would not be forced into drafting him as a “best player available pick.” That is to say, Justise Winslow is now most assuredly going to be on the board, barring the New York Knicks still deciding he fits the attack best.
Kristaps Porzingis is also likely to be available, again with the Knicks still factoring in as a possible choice for Phil Jackson’s team.
All things being even, if Mudiay outclasses D’Angelo Russell, the Knicks might count themselves too fortunate to pass on Russell, which again leaves both Winslow and Porzingis available to the Orlando Magic.
While it is superficially disappointing Mudiay will not work out for the Magic, it is illuminating.
Magic general manager Rob Hennigan is known for selecting only players he is intimately acquainted with. His process has focused on selecting players he knows will fit the franchise and are interested in playing for it. If that is not Mudiay, that is fine.
There are plenty of options in the 5-8 range in the draft that all could end up being the best player in their class (perhaps outside Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor).
The Magic will have the luxury — potentially — of choosing between Willie Cauley-Stein, Justise Winslow, Kristaps Porzingis and Mario Hezonja.
As to which player best fits Orlando’s needs, it is highly debatable and speculative.
As far as addressing multiple concerns, shot blocking and three-point shooting, Porzingis is the only one who really accomplishes this. If high upside is the primary consideration, it is hard not to think Winslow has the talents to eventually become a No. 1 or No. 2 option within an offense. Cauley-Stein could make the Magic an elite defensive team by fortifying the paint behind an already impressive perimeter ‘D.’ And Hezonja could end up being the lights out shooter and athlete that produces an All-Star-caliber career.
The Magic will have great options, but Mudiay probably will not be one of them. It is not really mourning a loss, because if a talent is legitimately favored before Orlando’s pick, that just means the Magic were not in position to select the given player.