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Orlando Magic Mock Draft Roundup: Past the (first) deadline

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 9, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) controls the ball against Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sportsat Barclays Center.
Mar 9, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) controls the ball against Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sportsat Barclays Center. /
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DraftExpress (April 26)

5th Pick: De’Aaron Fox (PG/Kentucky)

No player at the top of this draft probably helped himself more in the NCAA Tournament than De’Aaron Fox. The stark contrast of his 39-point performance against Lonzo Ball of the UCLA Bruins stands out as a big moment. Fox shot 13 for 20 from the floor and 13 for 15 from the foul line for the Kentucky Wildcats.

Fox is among the intriguing point guards at the top of this draft. He showed plenty of promise at Kentucky but undoubtedly his concern is his shooting.

In his lone year in Lexington, Fox shot 47.8 percent from the floor but just 24.6 percent from beyond the arc. And that is the college line. Encouragingly, Fox shot 73.9 percent from the foul line. That is usually a better indicator of a player’s shooting form and room for improvement.

When I watch Fox, I tend to believe he plays the way we wish Elfrid Payton would play. Fox is always driving toward the basket and trying to get there. He is also a gifted passer and playmaker, averaging 4.6 assists per game. If Orlando is ready to move on from Elfrid Payton, Fox is not a bad upgrade.

25th Pick: Tyler Lydon (F/Syracuse)

Tyler Lydon is an intriguing prospect as something of a tweener. He averaged 13.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game last year for the Syracuse Orange. But he also showed some nice range, shooting 39.2 percent from beyond the arc.

The 6-foot-9 forward has good size and length and is pretty mobile. He is a tweener, able to play both small forward and power forward. The kind of player who might work well off the bench as an energy provider as a stretch-4.

He has plenty of athleticism to work around the basket defensively.

But he has to put on muscle. Lydon is listed at 220 pounds and that is the reason he is a bit of a tweener. He is not going to attack much off the dribble. Outside of spot ups and the occasional pick and roll, his offensive game is still very limited.

If a team is drafting him, they are betting his shooting and athleticism can help him carve a role off the bench.