The NBA Draft is on the horizon with three weeks to go before the big day. With June on the horizon and the final list out, let’s tour the mock drafts.
The final list is just about set.
The NCAA’s deadline for underclassmen to withdraw from the NBA Draft and retain their eligibility passed last week. Some surprising names — including steady riser Hamidou Diallo of the Kentucky Wildcats — opted to return to school. Some surprising names decided to stay in.
With Memorial Day passing on the calendar and the NBA Finals getting set to begin Thursday, Draft preparations are sure to pick up. There are now three weeks until the June 22 NBA Draft. Teams will be working to get players in for workouts and interviews — the Magic have only had Dennis Smith in among the top prospects.
More are sure to follow.
The NBA Draft’s game of media misdirection is already beginning, although we may not yet know it. Are the Los Angeles Lakers locked in to pick Lonzo Ball? Are the Philadelphia 76ers targeting De’Aaron Fox? Is Josh Jackson really sliding down draft boards?
Nobody really knows if any of these rumors are any true. And they are going to continue to spin and spin until the teams finally line up and pick at the end of the month.
Already, Orlando Magic fans are lining up behind their favorite prospects. Everyone has something they want for this team.
Orlando Magic
With the Magic hiring president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman and general manager John Hammond, there is a new direction for the franchise. Nobody is quite sure what direction the Magic want to take.
By now, a week into the job, Weltman has likely had some long discussions with coach Frank Vogel about the state of the team he has taken over. He has likely reviewed the plans and notes on the prospects from former interim general manager Matt Lloyd.
Now Weltman takes the helm and likely makes his own notes and thoughts about the direction the team will take.
The only thing that seems fairly clear is the Magic plan to take the best player available with the sixth overall pick. The team is in need of so much of a talent upgrade that this makes sense. Especially with the talent at the top of this Draft.
As we get closer to the Draft, it is time to update our NBA Mock Draft roundup and look at who the various mock drafts have the Magic taking at this point int he draft season.
DraftExpress
6th Pick: Malik Monk, Kentucky
The Magic definitely have one big need they need to find sooner rather than later. Orlando spent all last year as one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA. It did not matter much of anything, the Magic could not put the ball in the basket consistently.
There is no better shooter in this draft than Malik Monk. There is no getting around that. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 19.8 points per game and shot 39.7 percent from beyond the arc on nearly seven 3-point attempts per game. Monk is a high-volume 3-point shooter.
No one is quite sure if Monk can overcome his size to be a strong shooting guard. But he already has a NBA-ready skill. His shooting will be valuable even if he does not become the smoking flamethrower he was as a freshman at Kentucky.
25th Pick: Terrance Ferguson, Australia
This year’s winner of the Giannis Antetokounmpo super athletic forward nobody knew about until the Draft but then all of a sudden became the talk of the draft is . . . Terrance Ferguson.
Ferguson played last yea rin Australia and came to the NBA Draft Combine to begin impressing NBA scouts. He definitely impressed. Posting a 38.0 inch max vertical was impressive. And the combo shooting guard has plenty of athleticism to spend.
Ferguson is extremely raw. Someone will give him the chance, likely sooner rather than later in this Draft.
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.
Basketball Insiders
6th Pick:
Joel Brigham: Dennis Smith, NC State
Michael Scotto: Jonathan Isaac, Florida State
Moke Hamilton: Jayson Tatum, Duke
Steve Kyler: Dennis Smith, NC State
Jonathan Isaac is one of the bigger wildcards in the NBA Draft. The Florida State Seminoles forward has all the requisite measurables to be a stellar player. At 6-foot-10, Isaac has gained some Kevin Durant comparisons because of his versatility and athleticism at that size.
That is a bit unfair. But the production looks good after he averaged 12.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a freshman. He also shot a 56.8 percent effective field goal percentage.
Isaac still has a ways to go to put it all together though. He has to become more assertive and seek out his opportunities more. His 3-point shot also has to continue developing. He showed flashes of what he can be throughout his time at Florida State. But the question, as always, is what is real?
25th Pick:
Joel Brigham: Ivan Rabb, California
Michael Scotto: Justin Patton, Creighton
Moke Hamilton: Isaiah Hartenstein, Germany
Steve Kyler: Derrick White, Colorado
Ivan Rabb might be one of the more intriguing prospects in the Draft. He was slated as a Lottery pick last year, but opted to return to California. His sophomore year for the California Golden Bears did not go as planned.
Rabb finished averaging 14.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. He did not really progress himself much as a sophomore. But the talent is still there. He has really good size and a good knack on the block to make plays for others. He has to extend his range some, but Rabb is a really strong player.
Justin Patton is too. A solid center for the Creighton Blue Jays, Patton was a rebounding machine for the Jays.
Isaiah Hartenstein is a big mystery in this Draft. Some liken the forward to fellow countryman Dirk Nowitzki. That might be asking a lot of him. But the talent is definitely there for him to develop into a big stretch-4.
Andrew Sharp, Sports Illustrated
6th Pick: Jayson Tatum, Duke
Jayson Tatum seemingly has the tools a team would want in a star player. He looks and plays like a traditional star player in many, many ways.
Tatum can isolate and create his own shot. Or he can wait on the wings and hit 3-pointers at a decent clip — 34.2 percent, but that can still improve. Tatum works better inside the 3-point line. And the mid-range jumper is the provenance of the star. So Tatum better be good.
"Tatum might be the most polished player available in the top 10. He’s got excellent iso skills in the halfcourt. His jumper’s not quite a weapon yet, but the mechanics look improved, and it’s not hard to imagine his outside shooting coming in the next few years. He can play either the three or the four, and while I’m not totally sold on his ceiling as a superstar, he’s got a pretty high floor (Harrison Barnes). Meanwhile, for Orlando and the new management tandem of Jeff Weltman and John Hammond, they need… everything. Anything. The entire roster is either a problem, or a question mark. In that case, it makes sense to grab at least one player they can definitely build around. Tatum fits."
What might be most impressive with Tatum is he can still score even when he is not involved. He is a strong rebounder in addition to his scoring ability. It would be a surprise to see him slip to sixth, but not at all impossible.
25th Pick: Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State
I profiled Jawun Evans in our first draft profile this week — more to come, including a few names on this mock draft roundup.
Evans is a strong point guard option. He can get to the basket and into the paint seemingly at will. He carried a heavy burden for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. And carried it well.
The only thing to watch with him is his size. It often prevents him from finishing at the rim and could be a hindrance on defense.
NBADraft.net
6th Pick: Jonathan Isaac, Florida State
"A “tantalizing” prospect, Isaac has a rare combination of size, length, and fluidity for wing player, in many ways similar to Kevin Durant at the same age from a physical and skill standpoint; at 6’10.5” with a 9’0.5” standing reach … He has the size to play the four (and possibly even 5) when necessary and be a presence inside once his frame fills out, but he also runs the floor like a natural wing player … Isaac has long strides, is light on his feet, and can get up and down the floor in a hurry."
25th Pick: D.J. Wilson, Michigan
It was somewhat surprising to see D.J. Wilson keep his name in the NBA Draft. That certainly bodes well for his Draft prospects.
Wilson averaged 11.0 points and 5.3 rebounds last year for the Michigan Wolverines. He is a big and long power forward with above-average athleticism. Not Aaron Gordon, mind you, but with his length and speed, he definitely stands out. He certainly knew how to use that athleticism to get to the basket.
Wilson does not have much of an offensive game. He is still more a bundle of athletic energy. He should be able to play some strong defense with his frame and length. But other than that, he will need plenty of time to develop.
Chad Ford, ESPN.com
5th Pick: Jayson Tatum, Duke
Not much has changed with Ford’s mock draft since the Lottery. He updated it to reflect the players who have pulled out of the Draft since the NCAA’s deadline.
It is clear the draft will likely turn on whom the 76ers take at No. 3. They could go in any number of directions. It feels like point guard is their biggest need. But then again, they have some plans to run Ben Simmons at that spot.
"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."
If they pass on Jayson Tatum, it could start a little bit of a fall.
The versatile forward from the Duke Blue Devils certainly has plenty going for him. The Magic could be doing backflips if he does unexpectedly fall to them. He averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He is a traditional isolation-based small forward. But he certainly has an ability to contribute and create for himself.
25th Pick: Frank Jackson, Duke
The Magic certainly could do a double dip with Duke players. And everyone seems to expect the Magic to take at least one point guard with one of their first-round picks. If they do no get one at six, there are a few intriguing options at 25 to take.
Jackson is definitely one after averaging 10.9 points and 1.7 assists per game last year for Duke. He got more comfortable as the year went on and it seems like his game would translate better to the NBA.
He has great length and athleticism. It is just about maturing as a player. And now recovering from an injury he suffered in an early workout.
Daniel O’Brien, FanRag
6th Pick: Dennis Smith, NC State
The question for the Magic this Draft is very much one of position. Even if the team is thinking of taking the best player, everyone seems obsesses with the point guard question. There are plenty of strong point guard options at the top of this draft — Dennis Smith among them.
And so the question is whether the Magic will go in that direction.
"Does new general manager John Hammond think Elfrid Payton is Orlando’s best point guard moving forward? Or does he think the Magic can make a long-term upgrade in this draft?"
Clearly, Orlando needs an upgrade at several positions. Point guard is among them. What is still unclear is what direction the Magic go. Smith is a dynamic scoring guard who would fit that star mold the Magic desperately need to find.
The good news with him too is he can play both guard positions if the Magic still want to give Payton his shot.
25th Pick: D.J. Wilson, Michigan
D.J. Wilson would be a big high-upside pick. You can see from the highlights just how athletic Wilson is. He is a high flyer.
Anyone who takes Wilson will have to wait to see who he develops. It will take some time to become a fully-formed player. Even after two years at Michigan. Wilson is certainly a risky pick.
DraftSite.com
6th Pick: Dennis Smith
Dennis Smith is quickly becoming the favorite for many for the sixth pick in the Draft. That might be because he is the only top prospect to have made his way through Orlando to this point. At least, that we know of.
Smith would be a strong pick at six. He averaged 18.1 points and 6.2 assists per game as the driving force for the NC State Wolfpack. He showed a ton of efficiency, shooting a 52.0 percent effective field goal percentage. Smith showed a ton of athleticism in his first year after a torn ACL and an ability to flat-out score.
That is something the Magic certainly need. Smith has star potential written all over him. He just has to prove it at the NBA level and grow his outside shooting.
25th Pick: OG Anunoby
Very few mock drafts have Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby dropping to 25th. But it is realistic he could end up being available here. Anunoby is talented but has a major injury risk.
Before tearing his ACL, Anunoby was considered a surefire Lottery pick and even in the top 10 in this killer Draft. He averaged 11.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in 25.1 minutes per game.
Anunoby is big for a small forward but has good mobility and athleticism. Just ask Donovan Mitchell and the Louisville Cardinals as he went soaring for a dunk.
Anunoby does a lot of his work off those drives and can attack well off the dribble. He does not have much of an outside shot to speak of. And, of course, no one knows exactly where he stands in his recovery from injury.
The talent is undoubtedly there. He could be hard to pass up if he is available this late in the Draft. Or it could be a sign his injury is not healing comfortably.
Also Watch For…
Jordan Bell, Oregon
Jordan Bell was a solid power forward for most of the year with the Oregon Ducks. Then an injury forced him into the starring role on the block with Dillon Brooks. Bell delivered big time as a rebounding machine in the NCAA Tournament.
Lauri Markkanen, Arizona
Some scouts consider Lauri Markkanen the best shooter in the draft. The 7-foot center from Finland had a somewhat underwhelming season with the Arizona Wildcats. But the kid can shoot it. That is a rare skill for a seven-footer. He should be a top-10 pick.
Bam Adebayo, Kentucky
The guards got all the attention for Kentucky. Bam Adebayo proved to be a solid workhorse on the block. He is a good athlete which makes up for his lack of size. Adebayo does things that translate to the league and would be a good energy player off the bench.
Jonathan Jeanne, France
This year’s winner of the Rudy Gobert super long arms award goes to . . . Jonathan Jeanne. Scouts will want to make the parallels. While Jeanne does not have the length Gobert does. He still has a lot of the size and shot-blocking ability. He is raw, like Gobert was, and will need some time to improve his basketball skills.
Rodions Kurucs, Latvia
Rodions Kurucs is another promising European prospect. He has a good shot and plays some solid defense. But like so many European players, he lacks a lot of experience at high levels of the game.
Next: The Orlando Magic should keep all four picks this Draft
Tyler Lydon, Syracuse
Tyler Lydon is a versatile forward who should work well within an offense as a slasher. He is not going to blow anyone away with his shot, but he is athletic and can find his way in and around the basket. A classic tweener.