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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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Chad Ford, ESPN.com

6th Pick: Jayson Tatum, Duke

There are definitely scenarios where Jayson Tatum falls to six, but they all do not seem completely likely. Ford has Malik Monk going third to the Philadelphia 76ers and Josh Jackson and De’Aaron Fox going after him to the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings. Monk then is the outlier in Ford’s mock draft.

Tatum falling to the Magic would seemingly be a huge boost for the team. He is a dynamic scorer who can create his own shot in isolation. He is the stereotypical superstar in that way. He just has to continue improving his 3-point shot to really stick it in this league.

"This pick should come down to either Tatum or guard Dennis Smith. Neither player fits a need exactly, but Smith would give them a nice complement to Elfrid Payton in the backcourt. Tatum is, perhaps, the most NBA-ready freshman in the draft. He has a pro game and might be the best pure wing scorer."

That is indeed the predicament for the Magic. No player exactly fits a need. Then again, the Magic need everything.

25th Pick: Frank Jackson, Duke

Frank Jackson was one of the big winners of the NBA Draft Combine. He performed well enough and got good enough feedback to put his name into the draft officially and hire an agent.

Jackson averaged 10.9 points per game and a lowly 1.7 assists per game. He shot 39.2 percent from beyond the arc. But, like many of Duke’s freshmen, he came on stronger at the end of the season. In March — including the ACC and NCAA Tournament — he averaged 13.7 points per game and shot 49.2 percent from the floor.

Jackson is a scoring point guard through and through. Ford writes of this selection:

"Given how he impressed with his play Thursday and put up elite numbers in the athletic testing portion of the combine, there’s a good chance he gets drafted as a Jerryd Bayless-esque combo guard who can play the 1 and the 2. The Magic could certainly use a player like that."

Orlando could certainly use a sharpshooter like this.