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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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Dennis Smith, Jr., NC State Wolfpack, Pittsburgh Panthers
Jan 17, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives to the basket past Pitt Panthers guard Jamel Artis (1) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Adi Joseph, USA TODAY

6th Pick: Dennis Smith, NC State

The Magic are likely going to focus their attention on the best player available. And that might well be Dennis Smith, Jr. And no one should complain too much if he ends up being the pick here.

"Smith fits with the mold of a modern NBA point guard a bit more easily than Ball, Fox, Monk or Ntilikina. He’s an explosive 6-3 with great vision and scoring ability, and the Magic can’t feel like they should stick with Elfrid Payton much longer."

The added focus on Smith also comes from the fact the Magic are also likely targeting a point guard somewhere in this draft. It is generally agreed the team needs Elfrid Payton either to step his game up or to replace him as the starter outright (eventually).

Payton has his flaws — on offense and defense — but he is a solid player. So Smith makes sense on another front. Smith has the versatility to play shooting guard. That leaves the Magic’s lineup pretty small if Evan Fournier or Terrence Ross have to play small forward. So that is not a permanent solution.

But it may be where the Magic have to go to get that point guard upgrade they are looking for. Payton’s place seems shakier than ever.

25th Pick: Bam Adebayo, Kentucky

The Magic are not necessarily in the market for a big. After all, they still have that logjam of Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo. There is some sense the team could loosen that logjam in an effort to improve the roster. Trades are going to be the primary driver for improvement.

So if the Magic are looking to move one of their centers, picking a center in this Draft is not a bad idea. And there are not many big men who are as talented and filled with potential as Bam Adebayo.

Adebayo averaged 13.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game for Kentucky. He showed himself to be a bull on the block and an energetic defender and rebounder. This is a guy who does all the dirty work.

He does not have great size for a starting center or the rim-protecting athleticism. But every team needs a grinder and Adebayo seems like he has the talent to find a place in the NBA somewhere.