Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Orlando Magic Daily 2017 NBA Mock Draft

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 7
Next
Nov 23, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Bam Adebayo (3) shoots the ball against the Cleveland State Vikings in the first half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Bam Adebayo (3) shoots the ball against the Cleveland State Vikings in the first half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

The 25th Pick

player. 38. . Center. Kentucky. Bam Adebayo. 25

Who the Orlando Magic take with the sixth pick will have a major effect on this pick. Take Dennis Smith or a point guard at the top and the Magic would likely look for a wing here — think D.J. Wilson, who I took in the Locked On NBA Mock Draft.

But I also discovered in that draft that there are not many wings here. And the Magic could stand better to take a wing like Jonathan Isaac at the top of this Draft. And focus on their guard needs later on here. I like Jawun Evans a lot and Derrick White and even Frank Jackson.

In all likelihood, the Magic are going to trade up from this pick and try to package their picks to get a player of better fit and need higher in the Draft.

But saying the Magic land here, there are a lot of centers available. I think everyone senses Nikola Vucevic‘s time with the Magic is running low. And they could certainly use talent at center even with the logjam they have now.

To me, Bam Adebayo is the best player on the board. He is a strong rebounder and defender. Despite being a bit undersized, he fits the modern mold of a center. He would be a good pick. But the Magic would have to have a plan in place to clear out their center logjam before making this pick.

I shied away from the point guards here because I believe the Magic can pick them up in the second round with those early picks. But this might be a place to go after a backup point guard or draft Wesley Iwundu from Kansas State or another wing.