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2023 Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft 1.0: One book closes, another one opens

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 25, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights forward Taylor Hendricks (25) drives to the basket against Houston Cougars forward Jarace Walker (25) during the first half at Addition Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; UCF Knights forward Taylor Hendricks (25) drives to the basket against Houston Cougars forward Jarace Walker (25) during the first half at Addition Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ausar Thompson
Dec 9, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; City Reapers guard Ausar Thompson (0) shown during the game against the Cold Hearts at Overtime Elite. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

2023 Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft 1.0

The Thompson Twins

. SG. Charlotte Hornets. Ausar Thompson. 4. player. 170

The questions about this draft class really begin after that top three. The difference between prospects in the No. 4 range deep into the Lottery are not that different. And more importantly, each one of these players have some real flaws that have to be taken under consideration.

This entire draft is going to be in the eye of the beholder. And teams will have to think about the kind of risks they are willing to take and stomach and what skills they want to emphasize. I think for a lot of these draft prospects, it is going to come down to the situation they are drafted to and the development plan those teams have.

There is probably no bigger risk/reward in this draft than the Thompson twins, Amen and Ausar. The duo played in Overtime Elite, a smaller pro league that was focused on giving high schoolers a different option for their development and growth.

A lot of scouts — and lay people — do not seem to know what to make of this league. I have heard people call it glorified pick-up basketball. So essentially both Amen and Ausar have gone a year without any real game tape.

Still, both players are supremely talented and extremely athletic. Their style is an all-out assault on the basket. They can get to the rim and finish.

I personally rank Ausar ahead of Amen because he has shown greater shooting potential. And especially for a team like the Charlotte Hornets who are set around LaMelo Ball, adding a running mate on the wing who can slash to the basket seems the more valuable pick.

34. . F. Portland Trail Blazers. Cam Whitmore. 5. player

This slide is labeled “The Thompson Twins” so we can get through the big thing about the twins in general. A lot of mock drafts and big boards will likely keep the Thompson twins together at 4 and 5 (I would probably do that too on a big board).

But this is not a big board, this is a mock draft. And a team’s needs come into some consideration. And the Portland Trail Blazers are very set at guard — unless they are planning a reset that includes trading Damian Lillard, then they should probably consider Amen Thompson a steal running next to Anfernee Simons.

As things stand though, the Blazers should look elsewhere and find some scoring. And that is where Cam Whitmore comes in.

The Villanova forward is 6-foot-7 and plays with a level of toughness on his drives. He is not afraid to take a hit and finish at the rim. Whitmore is a great scorer — averaging 12.5 points per game for Villanova, but finishing with a solid 14.0 points per game and 53.4-percent shooting in his final six games.

The Wildcats did not make the NCAA Tournament (and Whitmore sat out their NIT game). That may be a knock on him. But he gives any team that acquires him a guy who is not afraid to mix it up and can score effectively.