Locked on NBA Mock Draft: With the sixth pick, Orlando Magic select . . .

The Orlando Magic were on the clock with the sixth pick in the Locked On NBA Mock Draft. Who did I pick and what was the reaction?

It is unofficially NBA Draft Week. There are less than seven days before the big day that could change the Orlando Magic’s future dramatically. This is a team that needs an influx of talent and there is a very real chance they will get it at the sixth overall pick.

This is a draft loaded with potential stars. ESPN Insider is very high on the prospects in this Draft. And so are a lot of other people.

As things have seemingly played out, the Magic will have a very interesting decision to make. But ultimately the chance to pick between some very good options.

In several mock drafts, it seems the Magic will get to choose from at least two of these three players — Dennis Smith, Jayson Tatum and Jonathan Isaac. All project to have incredible potential and many believe all three can develop into stars. Everyone will have their favored prospect, but it is hard to be too upset with the options available to the Magic at No. 6.

It is getting to the time to make the pick and run through all the scenarios. Orlando Magic Daily will have its own mock draft coming up next week and another mock draft roundup this weekend as we enter Draft weekend.

But I am also participating in several mock drafts in the coming days and learning how the human element will play a role. I will share those as they come down.

To start with, I played the role of Jeff Weltman as the decision maker for the Orlando Magic for the Locked On NBA mock draft. The hosts of the Locked On Network podcasts each took control of their teams for this mock draft. And the way the draft played out, I think the Magic will be very happy:

With the sixth pick, I selected Dennis Smith from NC State. I have been in his corner for some time as I think he is a player who fits a clear need for the Magic and can contribute fairly quickly to the team. He is a solid scorer who can get to the basket with growing point guard skills.

I picked him over Jayson Tatum, who surprisingly slips in this mock draft thanks to the early pick of Jonathan Isaac, because I am not sure how Tatum fits with this team. The Magic, in my mind, still want to make a push for the Playoffs as they grow their young player. They want to be good sooner than later with Aaron Gordon and the No. 6 pick as their central player.

It certainly feels like the Magic are in a very good situation. They will be picking between two very good players.

The reaction to the pick from DraftExpress’ Mike Schmitz and Locked on Fantasy Basketball’s Josh Lloyd were pretty good.

Schmitz noted Smith has a lot of positive intangibles in him and could show he is a better shooter than he showed at NC State. But he also commented that Smith’s attitude at NC State left a lot to be desired. Some of that had to do with a poor situation in Raleigh. It felt like Smith was there only as a stopover and the team struggled so his interest waned. His poor length could also hurt him on the defensive end.

But there is still a lot to like.

So much so Lloyd said he would have picked Smith with the third pick in this year’s draft. He is really high on him.

There are probably a few players who could anywhere from three to eight, right in the Magic’s range. That is the kind of talent they are looking at.

For this mock draft exercise, I went with the top player available on my board — Dennis Smith.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Locked On Mock Draft on Locked On NBA. You can also check out the AMA we did on Reddit after publishing the first episode of the Locked On NBA Mock Draft.

Next: OMD Roundtable: Draft dreaming and scheming

What do you think of the Locked On Mock Draft so far?