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Orlando Magic Mock Draft Roundup: Post-Lottery Edition

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 18, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) drives against Xavier Musketeers guard J.P. Macura (55) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) drives against Xavier Musketeers guard J.P. Macura (55) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Reid Forgrave, CBS Sports

6th Pick: Lauri Markkanen, Arizona

This is the first person I have seen slot the Magic to take Lauri Markkanen.

Many analysts view Markkanen as the best shooter in the Draft (I still go with Malik Monk). But Markkanen is certainly a strong shooter and someone who brings a unique skill set to the game.

The 7-foot center from Finland averaged 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Arizona Wildcats. He shot 42.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Markkanen shows a ton of mobility and athleticism for a player his size. His weakness at this point is a lack of strength and post game. His defense is also not great as he is not a good rim protector. Markkanen largely did not draw the assignment on the bigger players. He has a tendency to get pushed around.

It is hard to see the Magic taking a center with this important pick. How would the Magic find minutes for Markkanen with Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo on the roster? Unless the team is trading one immediately, it is hard to see Markkanen on the board.

Forgrave’s reason for the Magic taking Markkanen is he is the best player available.

Markkanen is undoubtedly very talented. And his shooting ability at 7-foot tall is going to be hard for a team to pass up.

25th Pick: Jordan Bell, Oregon

A more realistic pick at 25 here as Jordan Bell is one of the more intriguing power forward prospects for the team later on in the Draft.

Bell averaged 10.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game last year for the Oregon Ducks. He was a workhorse in the post and has some of the intangible qualities that seem to translate well for players taken this late in the draft.

He is a bit undersized at 6-foot-7 to play power forward. Then again, who knows what a power forward is these days. If anything, Magic assistant coach Corliss Williamson can teach Bell all the tricks of being an undersized power forward in the NBA.

Bell proved himself on the defensive end and grinders are simply hard to find.

"Forget, if you can, Bell’s bonehead box-outs in Oregon’s national semifinal game. Instead, remember that Bell’s play throughout the tournament was the reason Oregon made it that far – especially after fellow big man Chris Boucher’s injury. All tournament, he was all over the court on defense, culminating with the eight-block performance against Kansas that sent Oregon to the Final Four. He had double-digit rebounds his final seven collegiate games. Bell is a bouncy and ambitious defender who is developing as an offensive player. His great combine ought to vault Bell into the first round."

Bell indeed had a good kick to end the season. In Oregon’s run to the Final Four, he averaged 12.6 points per game and 13.2 rebounds per game. With Oregon needing someone to step up with Chris Boucher’s injury, Bell answered the call and impressed time and time again.

His Combine numbers were good and he should continue to impress in workouts. it would not be surprising to see the Magic, in need of a traditional power forward for certain situations, to take a flyer on him.

Maybe not in the first round, but certainly if he is available in the second round.