The Orlando Magic entered the NBA Draft Lottery with a lot of hope and optimism. They had the top odds to win the Lottery and a 52.1-percent chance to land in the top four.
President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman’s face said it all though when Mark Tatum unveiled the team would hold the fifth pick in the upcoming draft. There was a definite feeling of frustration. Luck did not bounce Orlando’s way.
Now the team goes into the draft with two top-10 picks, but the fifth pick in a Draft that feels like it has some strong stars at the top. Stars that remain beyond Orlando’s reach.
Of course, the draft is completely unpredictable. It might be narrative boredom after everyone pegged the same five guys to go in the top five — and then four of those five separating themselves from the fifth — but there could still be movement at the top as teams dive into their final draft boards.
The one thing everyone is sure of is there will be a lot of talk and rumors in the next month before the NBA Draft takes place.
The Orlando Magic are in a strong position with two top-10 picks. But they sem just beyond the reach of stars. We go through our community mock draft to predict how the draft will go.
And it sure feels like it is a safe bet the Magic are going to try to move up in this Draft too. It feels like the team has the assets to do so. Whether they or the team they are trading with has the willingness will be another question.
The final draft order is set though and we can begin to look at how the board might look as teams get into their final preparations. More importantly, we can begin to see how other teams might act and what options might be available to the Magic when it is their turn to pick at Nos. 5 and 8.
Like we did after the season ended, the Orlando Magic Daily staff is coming together to conduct our own mock draft and figure out what this draft will look like. We are taking on the roles of each team in the draft order and making our selections with commentary.
This mock draft has been conducted with the Orlando Magic Daily staff since the Lottery ended. We will have one more mock drat out Thursday with a final prediction of what will happen.
And we all have our eyes on who the Magic might pick.
Orlando Magic Mock Draft: The top of the draft
By Jacob Warfle
This should be a no-brainer for the Detroit Pistons. Cade Cunningham has been the consensus number one pick for more than a year now and there is no reason to overthink it here.
Cunningham possesses all the traits and abilities needed to be a superstar in the NBA. His elite playmaking, paired with his 6-foot-8, 220-pound frame, make him impossible to pass up. His ball control, footwork, and overall basketball IQ have been compared to some of the great ball-dominant players in the league right now.
Simply put, Cunningham is the type of player you draft and build your entire team around.
At both Montverde and Oklahoma State, Cunningham controlled the pace of the game and showed the ability to take over late. He emerged as a knockdown shooter from multiple spots and had no trouble creating space.
Scouts have questioned his overall athleticism as he has not shown a ton of explosiveness, but they are just grasping at straws. Many of the best playmakers in the NBA do not possess “jump out of the gym” athleticism.
Cunningham’s game is similar: smooth and methodical.
Immediately after the Pistons won the lottery, reports came out they may be shopping the pick or even considering other prospects for the first selection. It is smart for the Pistons to not tip their hand entirely, but it would be catastrophic for them to go in any other direction.
Cunningham is the type of player you draft regardless of fit and I could even argue he fits in perfectly with Detroit. In today’s NBA you need multiple ball-handlers and Cunningham gives them a dynamic backcourt pairing with Killian Hayes.
This is the pick. No need to get cute with it.
By Dan Bennett
This is a tough choice for the Houston Rockets.
Evan Mobley might be considered as the consensus number two. But with Christian Wood already on the roster, another lean big, it could be tough to make that fit work long-term.
The Rockets would be better off taking the equally as talented Jalen Green.
Green has all the tools to become an elite scorer in the NBA and gives the Rockets a focus to build around as the team starts its post-James Harden rebuild. He is a go-to bucket, hitting from three, driving to the rim or pulling up from mid-range. Green can give a team a bit of everything.
He is also one of the best athletes in this class, showcasing some ridiculous plays last season, and he will no doubt be a regular in the NBA’s top 10 plays next season. The offensive potential he possesses is endless, while he would also pair nicely with Wood in a big man/guard combo for the meantime.
Coming out of high school, he was the number one recruit and Green himself stated that, had he gone to college, he believes he would be the number one pick in this year’s draft. Instead, it is widely expected to be Cade Cunningham.
But his performances playing against older players in the G-League should give Houston enormous optimism that he can be a success. He averaged 17.9 points per game for the G-League Ignite while shooting a respectable 46-percent from the field.
Even if Green does not manage to iron out his defensive vulnerabilities or become a better playmaker, he is always going to be able to score.
Houston certainly has a long way to go in rebuilding the roster but Green could be the kind of franchise-level player that puts the team back on the path to success.
Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft: The next phase
By Max Mortensen
In our first mock draft, I also had Jalen Suggs pegged for the Cleveland Cavaliers (then with the fourth pick) and my sentiment on the 20-year-old has not changed in the last month.
I am optimistic about his professional career because of his versatility. Even if Suggs’ shot or physicality does not fully translate to the NBA, he can still impact the game on both ends of the court as a solid on-ball defender, great passer and strong rebounder for his size.
But I do not hold concerns about either of the “weaknesses” in his profile.
Suggs shot a subpar yet respectable 34-percent from beyond the arc in his one year at Gonzaga and showed supreme toughness in his 868 minutes played last season.
It should be noted Suggs also received offers to play football from five “Power Five” conference schools, including Ohio State. At 6-foot-4 and 200-plus pounds, Suggs is not a physical liability at point guard.
Again, the fit with Cleveland, a team that already has two young guards in Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, is not seamless. The potential Suggs/Cavaliers pairing should reflect your sentiment about each of Cleveland’s young guards’ futures. Neither Sexton nor Garland has shown the promise of becoming a future All-Star, like both Ja Morrant or LaMelo Ball have.
Without the certainty that either will be a franchise player in the near future, I do not believe it makes sense to prioritize filling out the roster with prospects at other positions. In my opinion, Suggs is the second-best talent in this draft and the Cavaliers should be delighted if he were to fall to them with the third pick.
By Isaac Ryu
At this point, since Evan Mobley has fallen out of the top two, the Toronto Raptors should jump on him and take the best available player.
With Kyle Lowry’s free agency looming, the Raptors are looking to do a soft rebuild. They have Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent and Pascal Siakam along with several other role players so they should not be looking to blow it up.
Adding Mobley, who is the most skilled big in the draft who has immense potential on both sides of the floor makes the most sense. As an adept defender, pairing him alongside Siakam would make for a deadly frontcourt.
Even though Mobley has not filled out yet, his slim frame, at least early on in his career, will grant him more mobility in terms of vertical and horizontal movement. On the offensive end, he has got a solid post-game that depends on his versatility and athleticism.
While he did not necessarily stroke it from three at USC, he has the potential to extend beyond the midrange. But I would think the Raptors work on his free throw shooting before anything else. Mobley shot 69.4-percent from the free-throw line and if Mobley hopes to become a complete modern NBA center, he will need to be a reliable free-throw shooter.
It is undeniable Mobley has the potential to be a star due to his athleticism and versatility on both sides of the floor so the Raptors would get him if he is available at four.
Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft: On the clock
By John Lenny Black
Falling to the fifth spot in the draft on lottery night was obviously not the outcome the Orlando Magic wanted to see. In a draft that has long been touted as a five-man draft, all control has been taken out of the Magic’s hands. But that does not mean the Magic will not get a good player.
Jonathan Kuminga’s G-League Ignite coach Brian Shaw said recently Kuminga is “the most intriguing prospect” in this year’s draft, and I think intriguing is probably the right word. I have been watching back some of the Ignite games and Kuminga seems to be the most natural fit for this Magic team.
At 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot wingspan, he is a good-sized wing with two-way potential. On the offensive side of the ball, Kuminga does not need to be the primary ball-handler to be effective. He moves well without the ball and is a willing cutter who can finish around the basket with his outstanding athleticism — all of which plays pretty nicely with the plethora of guards we have.
Although his percentages will not show it, Kuminga has a decent mid-range pull-up, he just does not go to it a lot and ends up forcing a lot of threes. In his 13 G-League games he only shot 25-percent from beyond the arc, but recently shot an outstanding 65-percent from three at his pro day.
I believe a lot of his low percentages can be attributed to inexperience, forcing bad shots and a bit of a reliance on his athleticism. But Kuminga has the raw skill and talent to be a special player.
That being said, I am not sure Kuminga will be there for the Magic at 5. He has recently drawn interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers at 3 — where he would be an ideal fit if the Cavs do end up holding on to Collin Sexton — and the Toronto Raptors at 4 — where Pascal Siakam was just rumored to be a potential target for the Golden State Warriors.
Omar Cabrera: Jonathan Kuminga
If the Orlando Magic remain with the fifth pick, it is going to be whoever is still available from the top five. In this case, it is Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga is one of, if not the most, NBA-ready bodies while having one of the highest ceilings in this draft. With Kuminga seeming to be improving his three-point shot, this may end up being a blessing in disguise for Orlando.
Philip Rossman-Reich: Jonathan Kuminga
We have long said this is a five-person draft. No reason for that notion to change. The Orlando Magic need talent above everything else and Jonathan Kuminga gives the team the most talented player they can find with what is available in the draft. There might be some fit concerns, but when you are starting over, you need a central figure to build around first. Kuminga is the best shot at that.
Dan Bennett: Jonathan Kuminga
My pick for the Orlando Magic would also be Jonathan Kuminga. Landing outside of the top four was a real blow for Orlando and Kuminga’s inefficiency is a huge red flag. But Jeff Weltman has to take a player with some star potential at five. He could opt for a safer bet, but Kuminga’s athleticism and two-way potential are enough to warrant going at five.
Jean Racine: Jonathan Kuminga
I agree with John, my pick for the Orlando Magic would be Jonathan Kuminga. Regardless of fit, the Magic have to pick the best player available. Kuminga has long been thought to be the fifth-best prospect in the draft, and he has all the tools to be great at the next level.
Isaac Ryu: Jonathan Kuminga
I can go with everyone else. Jonathan Kuminga is my pick for the Orlando Magic at five. Skill-wise, I think the flashes he has shown with the G-League Ignite have been enough to make him a worthy pick in the top five.
Fit-wise, I think the Magic will be taking the best player available and due to his size and physical tools, it does not seem like there would be too much redundancy with him playing alongside players like Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac or Wendell Carter.
There is no pressure for the Magic to win right now so taking on Kuminga as a long-term project would be one of the Magic’s better options.
Jacob Warfle: Jonathan Kuminga
I agree, Jonathan Kuminga is the right pick here for the Orlando Magic. It has long been believed this draft has a clear top five, so it is a no-brainer to go with the last elite prospect available here. Although the Magic are not in a position to be worried about “fit” quite yet, Kuminga plugs into their current roster just about as well as one could hope. Kuminga may be a project, but his ceiling is as high as anyone at the top of this draft.
Timmy Monaghan: Scottie Barnes
Unpopular opinion I am sure, but I am going against the grain and saying the Orlando Magic should draft Scottie Barnes if he is still available. Even if Jonathan Kuminga is on the board. Barnes seems like a better fit for the Magic with more positional flexibility on both ends of the court. Plus, a more efficient player right now who has the intangibles that I am looking for.
Max Mortensen: Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Kuminga is the right pick purely because of his high ceiling. There are some reported murmurs he could be the player who falls too low because teams are focused on the “big four” at the top. Based on his size and scoring potential, I think it is the right fit with this roster.
Andres Rosero: Scottie Barnes
Many will be turned off by his awkward shot mechanics but scared money does not make money. Scottie Barnes projects immediately to become a contributor on the defensive end and his combination of height and length (6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan) paired with Jonathan Isaac should propel the Magic from the banality of defensive mediocrity. Pair his defensive prowess with ample ball-handling skills and an incredible motor, and you have a potential two-way stud on your hands.
Justin Szemes: Jonathan Kuminga
I also think the pick here is Jonathan Kuminga. He has all the physical tools to be a good NBA player. The question with Kuminga after last season playing for G-League Ignite is his efficiency. It was disappointing for the Orlando Magic to fall outside the top four so a player with this kind of upside is a good pick here.
Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft: The In-Betweens
By Timmy Monaghan
Every basketball aficionado knows two-way wings in today’s NBA are the most valuable assets in any lineup. The Oklahoma City Thunder have needs at starting center after trading away Al Horford to land Kemba Walker in a trade with the Boston Celtics.
However, there are no centers who make sense with USC center Evan Mobley off the board and Texas center Kai Jones being considered a reach. The Thunder do not overthink and take the best available prospect that fills a need. Not a bad consolation prize for a team whose draft position suffered thanks to some untimely bounces from the lottery balls.
Scottie Barnes has been rising up draft boards in the last month and it is definitely warranted. He makes a lot of sense after his defensive prowess manifested itself last year at Florida State under noted defensive coach Leonard Hamilton.
He is very versatile on that end of the court. He can guard every position on the court. And meanwhile, on the offensive end, he has the proclivity to be explosive. He can be a great finisher in transition or on the pick and roll. He showed he can be a playmaker.
It is conspicuous he can also be a very efficient player. In college, he shot 56 percent from 2-point range and had an assist to turnover ratio of over 2 to 1. That was third-best in all of college basketball among power-five conference players.
It does not hurt that he has a 7-foot-2 wingspan. Barnes is a very high ceiling player and has been compared very favorably to guys like Jabari Parker and even Draymond Green.
By Andres Rosero
To say the last three years of Golden State Warriors basketball have been erratic would be underselling the range of emotions Golden State fans have experienced.
Caught in the crossroads between dynastic teams and one of the most talent-bereft rosters in basketball is a legitimate opportunity to create a tantalizing combination of superstar talent with high-level prospects.
Klay Thompson’s return and two picks in the lottery have the Warriors in an advantageous position of picking for the future rather than instant production.
With that in mind, Keon Johnson is the perfect addition for the Warriors at No. 7.
Johnson gives the Warriors a potential replacement for Thompson as he ages out of his prime years while also developing his game in an organization that has become synonymous with player development and success.
Johnson is athleticism personified, ubiquitously considered the most athletically gifted player in this year’s class, among players like Jonathan Kuminga and Scottie Barnes.
Johnson is incredibly quick and parlays this quickness as a transition monster — able to outrun defenses on the fast break and punishing them with dazzling finishes at the other end.
Johnson’s immediate value will come at the defensive end, where he showed in college an affinity for being a high-energy pest that is willing to sacrifice his body for rebounds yet savvy enough to anticipate and create steal opportunities.
His offensive game is a bit raw and will take some time to develop. But with a staff and roster that
includes players like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson plus a defensive mentor in Draymond Green, Golden State would be the perfect environment for Johnson to develop his skillset and perhaps thrive in the post-Big 3 Warriors era.
Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft: Second bite at the apple
By Justin Szemes
The Orlando Magic will be trying to acquire as much young talent as possible and Moses Moody is a great pick at No. 8. While the Magic were disappointed on Lottery night this will be a good second pick in the lottery for them.
Moody has excellent size and looks to be ready to make an immediate impact as a 3-and-D guy. He shoots it very well from three, shooting 36-percent last season for Arkansas as the number one option on a good team.
He needs to improve on his play-making and ball-handling abilities. But even in these areas, he shows a great deal of promise.
The best comp for Moses Moody is Khris Middleton, a guy who came into the league as a 3-and-D guy but was able to develop a nice all-around game. I see him as a possible All-Star in the coming years as those other skills develop.
The Magic did not shoot the ball well from three last season making Moody a fit not just from the perspective of being the best available but will also give them something they are lacking from the jump.
Philip Rossman-Reich: Moses Moody
My belief is the Orlando Magic should spend one pick on a home run swing and one on a relatively safe pick. Moody to me gives the Magic the best chance of getting both. He should slot in as a great 3-and-D player, and we know how much the Magic need shooting. But he has the potential still to improve and work on the ball more, even if it is just as a sixth man.
Omar Cabrera: Moses Moody
With the Orlando Magic likely drafting Jonathan Kuminga at 5, who is not the best shooter, the Magic need to find shooting. Moses Moody provides shooting in the backcourt as well as being a strong defender. Moody averaged 16.8 points per game on 35.8-percent from three. His shooting ability will help other players on the roster excel as he brings the ability to spread the floor.
Dan Bennett: Corey Kispert
This is a pick that would address the Orlando Magic’s biggest weakness: shooting. Corey Kispert is the best shooter in this class, making an excellent 44-percent of his 3-point attempts at Gonzaga last season. At 22, he is an older prospect and is not the superstar the Magic are desperately looking for, but is nonetheless a safe bet to be a productive NBA player.
Isaac Ryu: Franz Wagner
Similar to what Dan was thinking, the Orlando Magic need a good shooter or someone who is a safe pick. Franz Wagner is a capable one-on-one defender but also a great team defender. Despite being known as a defensive team early in the season, the Magic lost, well, their magic and dropped to a subpar defensive team. Wagner should help with that.
He is also versatile on offense. Capable of working in the paint while also stepping out and shooting if needed. He is a glue guy who can fit into any role that is asked of him and will help the Magic to seal up some gaping holes on the roster. Plus, he is the younger brother of Moe Wagner, what more could you ask for.
Jean Racine: Moses Moody
I agree with Justin, Moses Moody is the pick here for the Orlando Magic. He provides shooting and positional versatility with his length. Moody will be able to play both shooting guard and small forward positions, and he has more upside than the other shooters available.
Max Mortensen: Moses Moody
I also agree with Justin, I like Moses Moody’s fit on the Orlando Magic. Shooting ability should be a focal point for Jeff Weltman and his staff with one of their two picks. I think Moody projects to have that skillset along with the potential for development in other areas.
Tim Monaghan: Moses Moody
I am also in favor of Moses Moody. The Orlando Magic need outside shooting and better defense after regressing on the defensive end later in the season before it ended. Moody is also a good rebounder and he has a long wingspan at 7-feet. He is also a good rebounder for his size. I think Orlando needs help at shooting guard and small forward and along with Scottie Barnes, this will be a big step in the right direction.
Andres Rosero: Moses Moody
Moses Moody projects as an above-average shooter and would be an instant contributor on an Orlando Magic team that is in desperate need of shooting effectiveness and off-ball movement in half-court sets. Pairing Moody with any of the Magic point guards would allow for complementary skill sets necessary in the modern NBA.
Jacob Warfle: James Bouknight
This is a long shot, but James Bouknight has been flying up big boards recently and could see himself selected as high as No. 8. I like Bouknight’s ceiling over anyone else available at this point. He has the potential to be a go-to scorer in the league and there are flashes of other great guards in his game. Although this could be seen as redundant with the current guard situation in Orlando, talent wins out here.
John Black: James Bouknight
At 8, the Orlando Magic should take the best player available. And in this mock draft, it will be James Bouknight.
I like Moses Moody, but he projects more as a role player and I am not sure if that is what the Magic are looking for in the top 10 of a talented draft class. Trading down for Moody would be a good choice if possible, but Bouknight is a much better offensive player with the ability to create for himself and score at all three levels — and with a 7-foot wingspan he has the potential to be just as good of a defender.
Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft: Other Options
By Philip Rossman-Reich
The Sacramento Kings want to believe they are knocking on the door of the playoffs. With De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, the team should feel good about its backcourt. And if everything were to click, they could easily be a team that surprises even in the rough and tumble Western Conference.
But that defense? Eek. The worst defense in the league and the worst defensive efficiency in NBA history. That last note might be more a product of the offensive explosion that has taken over the league this year.
Still, Sacramento should put its focus on the defensive end. It is not like the team needs more scoring — the Kings finished the year 12th in offensive rating.
That is why Franz Wagner is a really good fit for this team. He might be the best defender in this draft. And he is not merely a specialist on that end. He shot 34.3-percent from deep last year and 83.5-percent from the foul line.
For a Kings defense that is desperate for some versatility and defensive presence, Wagner seems like the perfect fit. Especially without any quality defensive bigs to fill their biggest need at center.
By Jean Racine
Eds. Note: This pick was made before the reported trade with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Davion Mitchell gets the nod over James Bouknight because he is simply the better shooter. He will be a nice complementary piece next to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
Both Williamson and Ingram can flat out get buckets and they need shooters around them. Mitchell provides shooting both as a catch-and-shoot guy and as a creator off the dribble. He shot an outstanding 44-percent from three and 51-percent from the field as a junior with Baylor.
Mitchell will provide the Pelicans positional versatility because he can play the point or shooting guard, which is important because they drafted point guard Kira Lewis last year in the lottery.
Plus, upcoming free-agent Lonzo Ball is still on the roster. The Pelicans could opt to go with more of a traditional shooting guard or center, but Mitchell is too much of a sure bet to pass up.
Aside from his shooting, Mitchell is a tenacious defender, and he gave projected No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham fits when the two matched up against each other this past season. Mitchell has a stocky build and plays a lot bigger than his height.
Furthermore, Mitchell projects to be a player in the mold of Marcus Smart because of his build, positional versatility and skill set. There have been some comparisons to Donovan Mitchell, but he is not as athletic and does not have the same length.
Donovan Mitchell measured at 6-foot-3 in shoes with a 6-foot-10 wingspan at the 2017 combine. While Davion Mitchell measured at 6-foot-1 in shoes with only a 6-foot-4 wingspan in last month’s combine. Despite his height limitations, Mitchell is a baller, who will contribute in all facets of the game.
By Omar Cabrera
The Charlotte Hornets find themselves in a good position as they have turned their franchise around. Despite the disappointing loss to the Indiana Pacers, the future is bright behind LaMelo Ball. The Hornets need to make their roster better, and with Devonte’ Graham set to be a free agent, James Bouknight could be his replacement.
Bouknight is extremely athletic and a natural scorer in a half-court set. In transition, he fits nicely next to LaMelo as he can use his ability to jump out of the gym and create highlight plays. At Connecticut, he averaged 18.7 points per game, which would allow James to be a scorer off the bench.
Even with these upsides, Bouknight still has room to improve. His shot selection should be an easy improvement as he works with NBA coaches. The other aspect that needs clear improvement is his shooting percentages. As he only shot 29.3-percent from three, he is going to have to make threes at the next level to spread the floor.
Besides, at this point in the draft, fit starts to become an even tougher question for teams as they are on the clock. The Hornets need to find their next center, and with Graham to be a free agent, the Hornets could look for a sign and trade or just let him walk.
Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft: Rounding out the Lottery
By Jacob Warfle
With most of the draft going chalk, things should start to get interesting around this point. This is a decently important selection for the San Antonio Spurs who are officially now without an identity. There are a couple of different directions the franchise could go with this pick, but I believe they will take a shot at finding their next playmaking guard.
Josh Giddey is a high-risk, high-reward type of selection, but no one trusts their player development more than the Spurs. Based upon what we already know, Giddey’s ceiling looks to be as high as many of the prospects at the top of this draft.
At only 18-years-old, Giddey is coming off of an impressive year for the Adelaide 36ers, where he averaged 10.7 points per game, 7.6 assists per game, and 7.3 rebounds per game. He was awarded NBL rookie of the year.
Emerging as Australia’s top prospect during the NBA Global Academy and Basketball Without Borders, Giddey has been using his lanky 6-foot-8, 200-pound frame for years now. As such a tall guard, Giddey possesses the body necessary to see over NBA defenses and make great reads.
Giddey’s playmaking, comfortability and overall smooth offensive game jumps off the screen immediately. The biggest concern moving forward is his outside shooting, but he has shown decent touch on floaters and pull-ups.
Drafting Giddey is a calculated risk that the Spurs are willing to take. If everything pans out as it should, Josh Giddey could eventually be handed the reins to a rejuvenated Spurs offense.
By Philip Rossman-Reich
The Indiana Pacers certainly have a type of player they look at. They want tough, gritty and hard-working players who will fit into their system and their ethos. They do like athletes, but they more importantly want players with the right mindset to overcome the odds that are always against them.
That is just what life is like for the small-market Pacers.
They also historically love shooters. If there is a player who can shoot and is willing to play hard above their talent level, the Pacers will find a home for them.
It is surprising to me then to see Corey Kispert lasting this long. He might well be the best shooter in this draft and he is someone who has constantly improved. Kispert landing on a playoff team would be a huge boost to the team that drafted him and probably the best use of Kispert and his talent.
Kispert can shoot in a variety of ways as a spot-up threat and coming off screens. If he can continue to improve his defense and his one-dribble pull-ups, he could be a dangerous player in the league.
He would absolutely fit in well with the Pacers’ ecosystem.
By John Black
The Golden State Warriors are in an interesting spot here.
Despite Stephen Curry having the greatest statistical season of his career this past year and Klay Thompson returning from two devastating injuries this upcoming season, the Splash Brothers are on the wrong side of 30 and the Golden State dynasty might not have much time left.
That puts the front office in a predicament of having to decide between getting better right now, or finding some pieces of the future in the draft and adding two lottery picks this year to last year’s second overall pick in James Wiseman.
A week or so ago, however, The Athletic’s John Hollinger reported the team may use its first Lottery pick along with Wiseman to make immediate upgrades to the roster. That may determine the direction they go at 14.
If they do in fact send off Wiseman, it will leave Kevon Looney as the only real center on the roster, but with probable plans to play Draymond Green in that role in hopes of a return of their “Death Lineup”.
If Green is spending time at the center position then that leaves a need for a power forward and wing defender.
Jalen Johnson makes the most sense for the Warriors here. At 6-foot-9, Jones is a versatile defender who has the ability to switch and guard all five positions. He is not a polished offensive player yet, but his athleticism and ability to run the court will help a team that already excels in the open court.
Johnson also has the potential to spread the floor in the half-court — he shot 44-percent from three at Duke as a freshman last season.
Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft: The post-Lottery
By Andres Rosero
Following the Washington Wizards’ surprising Play-In Tournament run and subsequent playoff berth, there is reason to be excited with the current core in the nation’s capital. Adding Usman Garuba to the mix would introduce a versatile defensive chess piece that has professional international experience to help flesh out a starting lineup with a star-studded backcourt and a rising young forward in Rui Hachimura.
By Dan Bennett
The young center just won the MVP award playing for Besiktas in the Turkish BSL at 18-years-old and has bags of potential. Alperen Sengun has drawn criticism for playing a style that is outdated in the NBA, but his footwork and low-post game draw comparisons to that of Nikola Jokic or Nikola Vucevic. He needs to grow as a shooter like those two, but if he can extend his range then the Oklahoma City Thunder will have someone who plays a big role moving forward.
By Justin Szemes
Kai Jones is a 20-year-old, 6-foot-11 big with a 7-foot-1 wingspan. He is a great athlete and fit in today’s NBA as a big who can knock down the three and also defend on the perimeter. There is a lot of upside with Kai Jones who will have to improve his decision on both ends of the floor but has the potential to develop into a Christian Wood-type of player.
By Omar Cabrera
The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the business of picking the best player available throughout the draft, and even though Ziaire Williams is a project, he will have the time to develop with the Thunder. He has the size at 6-foot-8 at the forward spot to have versatility, but he needs the time to smooth out his game, and Oklahoma is the perfect spot for Williams to get that opportunity.
By Max Mortenson
Jared Butler showed he can score the ball as well as anyone in the country last season. He is highly skilled with good size for the 2-guard position. He also showed a capability to handle the ball and self create off the dribble for the Baylor Bears in their national championship run. I like his fit on this New York Knicks team because you can pair him with R.J. Barrett or Immanuel Quickley as a secondary creator. Defensively, he is not a liability with good size and long arms — as long as he is willing to put in the extra effort on that end of the floor.
By Jean Racine
John Collins is potentially leaving and the Atlanta Hawks grab a developmental big here to help fill the void.
Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft: The rest of the first round
By Timmy Monaghan
The draft is very guard-heavy at the bottom of the first round. So the New York Knicks draft the best available point guard in Florida’s Tre Mann with both Elfrid Payton and Derrick Rose hitting free agency. It is unlikely that both return. Mann is going to be an effective shot-making point guard on the next level.
By Isaac Ryu
Joshua Primo is one of the best shooters in the draft and despite his young age, 18, he still can put in the work on the perimeter. The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to retool after an early playoff exit and Primo could be the player for them.
Despite reports of the Lakers looking to add veteran guards Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul, the Lakers should look to draft someone who can have an immediate impact. Primo shot 38.1-percent from behind the arc on 113 attempts and showed an ability to shoot off the catch and launch it from deep. His mechanics are good as well which would save the Lakers a lot of time.
By Omar Cabrera
The Houston Rockets are drafting at all positions in this draft to go with their young core of Christian Wood, Jae’Sean Tate and Kevin Porter Jr. The Rockets selected Jalen Green with the second pick in the draft to support their backcourt with Kevin Porter Jr. Taking a swing on Isaiah Jackson to possibly fill their frontcourt of the future with Christian Wood. Kentucky produces solid NBA players and Jackson makes sense as Huston looks to start their rebuild.
By Justin Szemes
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has NBA size and is a great passer and decision-maker, especially for a power forward. On the defensive end of the floor, he has shown the ability to be elite. It would not be surprising to see him become one of the best defenders out of this class. Looking at his upside David West would be a good comp and that would be excellent value in this part of the first round.
By Dan Bennett
With the 25th pick, the LA Clippers get an older rookie who can come in and help the team’s title challenge straight away. At 24, Chris Duarte is not one for the future but possesses excellent scoring and shooting ability, making 42.4-percent of his three-point attempts at college last season. He will be an excellent option off the bench for a team that focuses heavily on shooting from behind the arc.
By Isaac Ryu
While the Denver Nuggets were able to tread water without Jamal Murray, his absence was crushing. Especially since Will Barton may not return next season after declining his $14.7-million option, the Nuggets are going to need a secondary creator who is more reliant than P.J Dozier and Facundo Campazzo.
Ayo Dosunmu may be that player for the Nuggets. Controlling tempo, defense and passing is the name of the game for Dosunmu. He averaged 20 points, 5.3 assists and 6.3 rebounds on 30-percent usage.
He will not be hitting usage that high with the Nuggets, but he is more than capable of providing solid minutes behind Murray as a ball handler. He will need to improve his shooting mechanics before he can become a reliable shooter and play a functional role off of Nikola Jokic and co.
By Jean Racine
In a guard-heavy draft, the Brooklyn Nets select the best big available. Bassey is NBA-ready with three years of college experience.
By Philip Rossman-Reich
If the Philadelphia 76ers are going to hang onto their pick, they need someone who can contribute quickly to a title team. They need someone who can defend and shoot on the perimeter without the ball. Someone with maturity and poise in big moments. That is Houston guard Quentin Grimes. He was a great scorer at Houston but could easily slide off the ball and his defense should be something Philadelphia can quickly cultivate.
By Timmy Monaghan
At 6-foot-5 and 180 pounds, Gonzaga guard Joel Ajayi has the measurements to handle playing either guard position. He spent three years at Gonzaga. So, the experience aspect is there.
He has played in the Final Four and got better every year. He has a good 3-pointer with a high basketball IQ. He can be a playmaker, is a nice facilitator and holds his own on the defensive end, too. If the Phoenix Suns do not want to overpay to keep Cameron Payne around as a backup point guard, this guy can fill the void. Even better, Chris Paul will be a terrific mentor for him.
By Andres Rosero
Cameron Thomas would provide some scoring burst on a Utah Jazz backcourt that is reliant on the playmaking and scoring of its starting guard in Donovan Mitchell and needed scoring and driving punch off the bench.
Thomas is a heat-check scorer who can take over a game with his ability to score at all three levels of the half-court. Cameron Thomas may only project as a bench scorer in the NBA. But as we have seen with players like J.R. Smith, Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams in the past — backup guards that can take over a game with their scoring will always have value.
This post has been a collection of the Orlando Magic Daily staff conducting its mock draft since the completion of the Lottery. We will have one more mock draft to go on Draft day with a final prediction of what will happen.