Orlando Magic Daily 2022 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: The final countdown

Orlando Magic Daily 2022 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

Serious Trade Targets

Trevor Keels runs very hot or very cold. That is just the nature of his time with Duke. Keels averaged 11.5 points per game and shot 31.2-percent from beyond the arc overall. Not exactly the greatest numbers.

But in ACC play, Keels averaged 12.0 points per game on 35.3-percent shooting from deep. He had games where he hit five 3-pointers and five games with more than three 3-pointers. He had several-game stretches where he was in rhythm.

That is what teams are betting on. He has good size even at 6-foot-4 to defend too. That makes him attractive. Keep your eye on Keels if he is available in the second round as a potential target for the Magic.

Kentucky guard TyTy Washington showed a ton of athleticism in his ability to finish around the basket. He could break through and have some big games. He really started to come into his own later in the season, showing general improvement — averaging 15.7 points per game and 37.9-percent shooting (42.9-percent from deep) in three SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament games against 12.5 points per game and 45.1-percent shooting from the field for the whole season.

Washington has to improve as a playmaker, especially at his size, and continue to improve as a shooter. But fitting in with a team like the Denver Nuggets with other playmakers and scorers should help.

Start to watch for potential trades for the Orlando Magic at this stage of the draft. I have the Memphis Grizzlies as a potential target for the team to find Terrence Ross a new home.

Figuring out who to target is the challenge (more on that in a bit).

For now, the Grizzlies should be looking for more toughness and defense. And they find that in E.J. Liddell. He averaged 19.4 points per game and was named to the Big Ten’s All-Defensive team. He is a bit undersized as a power forward at 6-foot-7. So his ultimate success in the NBA may depend on whether he can develop as a shooter.