Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft 2.0
The Rest of the Lottery
At one point, Jonny Davis was considered one of the best guards in this draft. He was considered a solid scorer and a great attacker. The end of his season was disappointing because he suddenly became inefficient and Wisconsin struggled to end the season. Davis is a good mid-range scorer and can get into his shot. There is something there to work with.
AJ Griffin is a fairly complete player who will slide in as a solid defender and a decent floor spacer for his team at Duke. It is hard to see him being more than a role player. But in a lot of ways he is as sure a pick as a 3-and-D wing as there is. He will need to become more efficient as a shooter.
It is not clear what the Charlotte Hornets will do to improve their roster after they failed to get out of the Play-In Tournament once again. They moved on from James Borrego and Miles Bridges is a major free agent this offseason who seems likely to move. Tari Eason would be a solid replacement. He does not have the athleticism Bridges has, but Eason does a good job defending and finding his way to the basket. He makes a lot of winning plays.
The Cleveland Cavaliers should be looking for a different type of prospect at this point after they made the Play-In Tournament last year. They need someone who is ready to contribute and play a role. That is where Malaki Branham steps in. He is probably the best shooter remaining at this level of the draft and should be able to space the floor for the Cavaliers.
Mark Williams was by far the winner of the NBA Draft Lottery. His measurements stood out as he recorded the longest wingspan at the Combine (no, Chet Holmgren did not get measured). Williams deserves this spot even beyond his measurements. He was a great rim protector and low-post defender for Duke last year. His play certainly stood out.
TyTy Washington is a dynamic guard with a scoring knack and flair who would pair very well as an attacker behind Trae Young in Atlanta. The Atlanta Hawks need a secondary creator and attacker and Washington would give them someone off the bench who can keep pressure on the defense.
Do not sleep on upperclassmen. Ochai Ogbaji was a key part of Kansas’ run to the national championship. He is a solid scorer and a good defender. He will fit right in with whatever team drafts him. And the only doubts about him seem to go with his age.
The Chicago Bulls need health more than anything else to make good on the promise they showed last year. But it still feels like an offseason of change is on the way. The Bulls have to find a way to double down on what worked. That might include trading this pick — especially knowing they will not have next year’s pick thanks to their trade with the Orlando Magic. And, again, the Bulls are still worried about keeping Zach LaVine.
That probably means the team takes the best player available or someone that can help the roster they envision having by the end of the season.
Jeremy Sochan is certainly that player. A capable wing defender who showed improvements to his offensive ability. His success in the NBA will depend on his continued development as a shooter. But Sochan fits the profile of defender this team likes.