Orlando Magic Daily Big Board 3.0: Orlando Magic have sat with the prospects
Orlando Magic Daily Big Board 3.0
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Bennedict Mathurin is an intriguing prospect who has shown a good scoring burst. The question he faces is whether he can do it on a consistent basis. Teams that draft him know they will get a solid defender and a player with good size. But he will have to continue evolving and developing his talent.
A.J. Griffin is an interesting prospect in that he does so many things so well. He is a decent shooter and a good defender. He has good size to make his way through the league. It is just hard to see him being more than a role player. The skills to create and be a bigger player just are not there.
Jalen Duren is the best pure center prospect in this draft. He looks and plays like energy big men like Montrezl Harrell or Robert Williams (not nearly as good as Williams). Duren is going to be active around the basket and a be a tough body to move in the post and in the paint. His offensive skills are still very limited.
Dyson Daniels has emerged as the best player among the G-League Ignite players. He averaged 11.9 points per game and shot 45.9-percent from the floor and 34.7-percent. There is a lot to like about his game and his potential to be a dynamic player. But this was overall an unimpressive G-League Ignite class (save for Scoot Henderson, who is eligible for next year’s draft).
Malaki Branham might be the best shooter in this draft outside the top players. He has good size for a guard and should be able to come around screens or work as a spot-up option for whoever ends up drafting him.
Johnny Davis was at one point considered a surefire Lottery pick and perhaps a top-10 pick, if not something more. He was a solid scorer who could create his own shot off the dribble and score efficiently from the mid-range. Then everything fell off in January and February and Davis never really recovered. His lack of outside shooting dims his prospects.
No player likely helped his stock more at the NBA Draft Combine just for showing up than Mark Williams. Williams had some incredible measurements at the Draft Combine and looks like the longest player in this year’s draft class. Williams is a solid defender and good shot block who will clean up a fair amount of mistakes and put down his share of lobs.
Jeremy Sochan has been the big climber among the top prospects. But he will drop down here. Sochan has the size and versatility on defense that everyone is looking for. Coming from Baylor, everyone knows he can defend. He has to round his offensive game to be more than an athletic wing.