Sam Vecenie, Sporting News
6th Pick: Dennis Smith, NC State
In Sam Vecenie’s Grade A mock draft, he would have the Magic take Dennis Smith, Jr. It is hard to argue with that. The scoring combo guard from the NC State Wolfpack can seemingly do it all. He can get into the paint and score and create for others. He is a modern point guard.
That makes Smith a coveted player. Should he fall to the Magic at six, it would seemingly be hard to see the Magic pass him up. He fills such a critical need for the Magic.
"Smith would give the Magic something they haven’t had in a long time: a lead guard who can score at all three levels as well as distribute. Elfrid Payton has shown himself to be an NBA-caliber player, but it’s a position the Magic could stand to improve upon, as Frank Vogel and company look to buoy the offense of a team that struggled at times to score last year."
Orlando needs a playmaking scorer bad. The team spent nearly the entire season trying to get Evan Fournier to fill that role. He just was not good enough to do so. Elfrid Payton filled it in, but still congested the space.
Smith has to prove himself as a shooter, but he is a much greater scoring threat than Payton. And that changes the ball game.
25th Pick: Derrick White, Colorado
It seems unlikely the Magic would take two point guards in the first round. Not without a deal in place to trade Elfrid Payton for sure. And likely also a plan to get out of D.J. Augustin‘s contract.
But this is a Grade A mock draft. This is the best player available under current roster needs. And if the Magic still need a point guard late in the draft, Derrick White is a strong selection.
The junior college transfer to the Colorado Buffalos averaged 18.1 points and 4.4 assists per game. White can create and get his own shot. And more importantly, he can hit from the outside, making 39.6 percent of his 3-pointers.
"The plan here is take the best non-center available given what’s already on the roster. That’s White, a late bloomer who can score from the outside, create off the dribble and pass it to create plays for his teammates. Again, more offense and shooting for a Magic team that could occasionally get stagnant."
He lacks some of the top-end athleticism to be a starting point guard, but White is a good find.