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2018 Orlando Magic NBA Draft: Orlando Magic Daily’s final mock draft

By Philip Rossman-Reich

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: President of Basketball Operations, Jeff Weltman represents the Orlando Magic during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: President of Basketball Operations, Jeff Weltman represents the Orlando Magic during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Michael Porter Jr.
Michael Porter Jr. /

The Rest of the Lottery

7. player. 24. Pick Analysis. F. Missouri. Michael Porter Jr.. Scouting Report

The Chicago Bulls are in a good spot to go after the potential star player that is Michael Porter Jr. He is a smooth scorer with great instincts and length. A back injury stole his freshman year from him. But if he is healthy, he might be the best player in this class.

Wendell Carter Jr.. 8. player. 156. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. F/C. Duke

Wendell Carter Jr. is not spectacular at any one thing. But he is solid at a whole lot of things. And that is what a team like the Cleveland Cavaliers need, regardless of what LeBron James does. Carter is a good defender and will fill in gaps offensively as a big. He can step out and his jumpers fairly consistently and work the post and area around the basket too.

Pick Analysis. SF. Villanova. Scouting Report. Mikal Bridges. 9. player. 27

Few players may be more ready to come to the NBA and fill a role quite like junior Mikal Bridges. He is already a great defender with good range and shooting ability. There is no reason to think he will not translate to the league. Bridges is not great off the dribble or as a primary scorer, but he showed some signs of getting there last year in the Villanova Wildcats’ championship run.

SG. Zhaire Smith. 10. player. Scouting Report. Texas Tech. 93. Pick Analysis

Zhaire Smith is readymade to come to the NBA and make an impact. He is a strong defender with good basketball smarts and instincts. His offensive game is still growing. But for what a contending team like the Philadelphia 76ers needs, they go with someone who can make an impact now over a more talented player.

player. 170. Alabama. PG. Collin Sexton. 11. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

Collin Sexton is a workhorse of a point guard. With great end-to-end speed and an eye on the basket, he is going to force the issue and make things happen for his team in one way or another. His hallmark 3-on-5 performance speaks to his competitiveness and fire. The kid is going to work hard. But he will have to improve his 3-point shooting (signs that he can) and passing to make it as a starter in the NBA.

Pick Analysis. Kentucky. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. 12. Scouting Report. 77. player. G

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an interesting point guard prospect. Better yet, he remains a bit of an athletic tweener. He showed plenty of signs he could shoot from beyond the arc and run a team. But he definitely still needs more work. More refined than a raw athlete, but maybe not quite ready to run his own team.

Scouting Report. C. 13. 77. Pick Analysis. Texas A&M. Robert Williams. player

Robert Williams is a great shot blocker and solid rebounder who showed consistent numbers with the Texas A&M Aggies. His game may fit better in the NBA where he can roam the paint a bit more. But he has a lot of work to do. And his number staying flat in his two years in college do not bode well.

Pick Analysis. F. 73. Scouting Report. Kentucky. Kevin Knox. 14. player

Kevin Knox is oozing with potential as another wiry wing player with a good jump shot but still a long way to go. Knox was fairly consistent with the Kentucky Wildcats. But he clearly has a lot of work to do. Most of his shots still come in the mid-range and he is not great attacking off the dribble yet. It is hard to see what he can do if he does not have the ball in his hands wholly.