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Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft 3.0: The day has arrived

By Philip Rossman-Reich

R.J. Hampton is one of the most promising and intriguing prospects of this NBA Draft class. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
R.J. Hampton is one of the most promising and intriguing prospects of this NBA Draft class. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images) /
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LEXINGTON, KY – FEBRUARY 29: Isaac Okoro #23 of the Auburn Tigers is seen during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on February 29, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY – FEBRUARY 29: Isaac Okoro #23 of the Auburn Tigers is seen during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on February 29, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Early Lottery

Chicago Bulls. LaMelo Ball. 4. player. 24. . PG

It would be a bit of a dream for LaMelo Ball to fall to the Chicago Bulls at No. 4. And it is very possible. Ball reportedly did not interview well and some teams are turned off by some of his intangibles and personality traits. Of course, that could be subterfuge and misinformation to get him to fall to a team like the Bulls. It is still not clear whether Chicago believes in Coby White. And the juiciest rumor the morning of Draft day involved the Bulls sending Wendell Carter Jr. to the Golden State Warriors so the Bulls could likely take James Wiseman. Or maybe they wanted Ball all along.

PF. Cleveland Cavaliers. Obi Toppin. 5. player. 156.

I have been very low on Obi Toppin throughout this Draft process. He is just the one prospect that never quite fit my eye. He is extremely athletic and a pogo stick going after rebounds and getting to the hoop, especially in transition. But I do not see many skills beyond that. He is not a good shooter and his defensive versatility is not there. This is a traditional athletic-4 in a league that demands positional versatility. Cleveland seems to have their heart set on him, but I would not be surprised if Toppin is the guy who slips in this draft.

125. . F. Atlanta Hawks. Isaac Okoro. 6. player

The Atlanta Hawks are hunting for big fish. That much is clear. They are trying to rush their timeline with Trae Young already emerging as an All-Star. They know that clock is ticking and they are in a position to pounce. It would not be surprising then to see this pick packaged to get Buddy Hield or even Gordon Hayward. If Atlanta keeps this pick, the team should continue to look forward for ways to improve its defense. Isaac Okoro is probably the best perimeter defender in this Draft. And while his shooting still needs a lot of work, his ability to run in transition and get to the rim in the open floor will fit in nicely with the Hawks and their overall mission.

7. player. 64. . G. Detroit Pistons. Tyrese Haliburton

The Detroit Pistons are desperate for just about everything. They are probably the franchise in one of the worst positions in the league — they have a star in Blake Griffin who is constantly injured and not a whole lot else. Detroit needs to find a way to add young players who can set their future up. They will not find that centerpiece guy here. But starting with a young guard in Tyrese Haliburton who can get out in transition, run the offense and hit from the outside would be a good start for this team.