Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft: Memorial Day check up

By Philip Rossman-Reich

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 14: Michigan State Spartans forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (2) goes in for a dunk during the State Farm Champions Classic basketball game between the Duke Blue Devils and Michigan State Spartans on November 14, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 14: Michigan State Spartans forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (2) goes in for a dunk during the State Farm Champions Classic basketball game between the Duke Blue Devils and Michigan State Spartans on November 14, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 8
Next
Wendell Carter Jr., Duke Blue Devils, Syracuse Orange
OMAHA, NE – MARCH 23: Wendell Carter Jr #34 of the Duke Blue Devils shoots the ball against the Syracuse Orange during the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

7. player. 24. . Center. Duke. Wendell Carter Jr.

For some reason, Orlando Magic fans have taken to thinking Wendell Carter Jr. would be the worst pick for them. He is someone that does not seem to have a lot of star potential, but has a high floor that should make an impact.

Somehow, getting compared to Al Horford is a bad thing.

Carter may not end up as good as Horford. But he has the same kind of steady play about him. He will just do what his team asks him to do. That is what made him so successful with the Duke Blue Devils.

Carter blocks shots, defends and hits jumpers. What more do teams want from a modern center?

He may never be the true game-changing impact player. But whatever team gets him will get a solid player who will fit any role the team needs of him. That has a lot of value.

. Guard/Forward. Villanova. Mikal Bridges. 8. player. 156

Where the Cleveland Cavaliers go might be determined on what LeBron James does.

Mikal Bridges is the perfect player for a team that is trying to build for a title. He is a good 3-point shooter and seemingly works better off the ball, spreading the floor. He will also provide high-level defense, likely pretty immediately.

Bridges is the perfect supporting player.

In the right situation and with the right development, Bridges could turn into something more. He slowly improved with the Villanova Wildcats and looked better as a primary scorer.

That is not his best role in the NBA though. That is why falling to the Cavaliers here would be a perfect fit for him (provided James stays).

Forward. Missouri. Michael Porter Jr.. 9. player. 27.

If the New York Knicks are hoping for a big name, seeing the talented Michael Porter Jr. fall to them at No. 9 would be a good steal.

Before his back injury in the first game of the season, Porter was a potential selection with the top overall pick. There were a lot of people excited about what he could do. His back injury only leaves questions.

Porter is a supremely smooth and natural scorer. He has a lot of fluidity in his game and he looks natural looking for his own shot. Porter will be able to find a home in the NBA, especially if he can better develop his 3-point shot.

What will be really interesting is whether Porter can reach that ceiling.

The back injury seems to be the big question. Those rarely go away. And Porter will have to show his health before any team takes a chance on him. But the potential is clearly there.