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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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Steve Kyler, Basketball Insiders (April 27)

5th Pick: Jayson Tatum (F/Duke)

I spoke at length about Tatum on the previous slide. Expect Tatum to be one of the favored picks for the magic among mock drafts.

Who could blame them? The Magic need shot creation and scoring. That is what Tatum did really well in his lone season at Duke. Orlando could also use some more size at small forward, and even someone who can switch with Aaron Gordon to guard power forwards, and Tatum fits that bill too.

What is really impressive about Tatum is how he can contribute even without the ball in his hands. He can dominate in isolation, but also find ways to score without the ball, helping spread the floor. And Tatum is a good rebounder for a player of his size.

If Tatum is the prize from this draft, the Magic have done pretty well.

25th Pick: Jaron Blossomgame (SF/Clemson)

Jaron Blossomgame averaged 17.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. last year for the Clemson Tigers, leading them nearly to the NCAA Tournament despite a poor record. Clemson scored some big victories and Blossomgame was a big reason why.

Blossomgame plays more like an undersized power forward though. He does not have much of a 3-point shot. He does a good job working his way into between the zone and scoring near the basket. And he has plenty of athleticism and scoring instinct. But at the NBA level, he needs to shoot.

Blossomgame shot 25.5 percent from beyond the arc last year. That does not bode well for his NBA prospects. He is definitely a project and a team will have to be patient with him as he learns to play on the perimeter.

For this Magic team, Blossomgame is probably not the right pick.