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Orlando Magic Rumors: New executives meet with Dennis Smith Jr.

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 4, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) reacts after a basket during the second half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at PNC Arena. The Wolfpack won 104-78. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) reacts after a basket during the second half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at PNC Arena. The Wolfpack won 104-78. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic’s draft preparations continue. The new leadership reportedly met with Dennis Smith Jr. this week and Malik Monk is on the way.

Ever since Orlando Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman took over, things have been kind of quiet as the team prepares for the NBA Draft. The team is surely still doing its preparations even if they do not get out to the media. And surely the Magic were in attendance at the several pro days that took place last week.

The Magic though will have to get serious and bring in some of the players they are targeting with the sixth overall pick for an individual workout and, more importantly, interview.

There are already rumors of the Magic bringing in some more of these players, but there was one loose end to tie up.

Orlando worked out and interviewed NC State Wolfpack point guard Dennis Smith Jr. the day before the NBA Draft. That was well before the Magic hired Weltman. Then-interim general manager Matt Lloyd conducted the interview. The Magic coaching staff conducted the workout.

It makes sense then the Magic are going to bring Smith back. At least for an interview.

Adam Zagoria of FanRagSports reports Smith planned to meet with the Magic’s new management group today, but he would not hold a second workout.

Smith most recently worked out with the New York Knicks. And many mock drafts have Smith as the favorite for the Magic to pick at the sixth overall pick.

He had an impressive season with NC State, averaging 18.1 points and 6.2 assists per game. He was the ACC Freshman of the Year over Jayson Tatum, another prospect the Magic could select with the sixth overall pick.

By all accounts, Smith impressed in his workout with the Magic a few weeks ago. There were various reports his shooting impressed. Coach Frank Vogel said after the workout that his athleticism stood out in the workout.

As everyone with the Magic noted, though, the interview is a far more important piece to these individual workouts. It helps the team get a better picture of the person they are drafting and their fit with the current group.

That is why bringing Smith back to talk directly with Weltman — and probably general manager John Hammond — was critical for the team as it prepares to make this decision.

Things are certainly picking up, even as things happen more quietly than they were before.

Kentucky Wildcats shooting guard Malik Monk informed the media, including Gerald Bourget of Hoops Habit, in Phoenix after his workout with the Phoenix Suns that he was due to head to Orlando for a workout next.

Monk averaged 19.8 points per game and shot 39.7 percent from beyond the arc. He is perhaps the best shooter in the Draft, able to get hot in a hurry and put up some gaudy scoring numbers.

He is certainly in the mix for the Magic to pick with that sixth overall pick.

Next: David Steele: Orlando Magic can turn things around quick

The NBA Draft is two weeks away. The team is sure to step up its preparations and bring in more of these top prospects to Orlando to get to know them better.