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Orlando Magic Daily 2022 NBA Draft Big Board 2.0: Time to consider needs

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jabari Smith could be the next coming of Rashard Lewis and the top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Jabari Smith could be the next coming of Rashard Lewis and the top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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Walker Kessler, Auburn Tigers
Walker Kessler was one of the best shot blockers in college basketball last year. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

2022 Orlando Magic Daily Big Board 2.0

Rounding out the first round

Walker Kessler was a shot-blocking behemoth at Auburn, setting the tone for Auburn’s defense with 4.6 blocks per game last year. The next part is figuring out if he can do that on an NBA floor where his lack of athleticism and lateral quickness may hurt him.

player. 38. . G/F. Orlando Magic. Jaden Hardy. 25

I personally do not really know where to put Jaden Hardy. In some respects, he was the most highly touted prospect to join the G-League Ignite this year. But he also disappointed immensely — 21.2 points per game during the G-League Ignite’s tour with 39.7-percent shooting overall and 33.6-percent shooting from deep.

Trevor Keels did a really good job filling in his role for the Duke Blue Devils this year despite some inconsistent shooting. When he got hot though, Duke was nearly impossible to stop. And he provides plenty of defensive potential as he figures out his shooting.

Expect David Roddey’s name to climb as he starts doing more workouts. The big guard from Colorado State averaged 19.2 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting 43.8-percent from beyond the arc. His 69.1-percent free throw percentage will raise some doubts that his shooting can translate.

Ismael Kamagate is the next long-limbed French center. He finishes around the rim with thunder and has good hands to make catches. It is just about putting the physical tools together more consistently.

Blake Wesley averaged 14.4 points per game last year. His poor shooting — 30.3-percent — is what will hold him back in this draft.

Terquavion Smith has the numbers to make it in the NBA after averaging 16.3 points per game and shooting a 50.3-percent effective field goal percentage. But his poor free throw shooting will leave everyone wondering whether he can translate to the NBA. And whether he can move himself off the ball.

Winning should matter for something. So it is a bit surprising to see so few players from the Kansas Jayhawks. Christian Braun will have a chance to build on a strong finish to the season, where he averaged 14.1 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game while shooting 38.6-percent from the floor for the season and 11.2 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game on 44.4-percent shooting during the NCAA Tournament.

Jake LaRavia stepped in to Wake Forest as a transfer and gave the burgeoning young team a huge boost, averaging 14.6 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game. He shot 38.4-percent from beyond the arc overall and gave the team good defense. He may be a player a lot of people are sleeping on at this part of the draft process.

Next. Our results from one Lottery spin per day. dark

The next time we hit draft coverage will be our first mock draft after the final draft order is set. We will see you then!