2023 Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft 1.0: One book closes, another one opens
2023 Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft 1.0
Other Candidates
Indiana Pacers. Amen Thompson. 7. player. 100. . G
As noted above, it is hard to get a good read on the Thompson twins. But they are going to get their shot at the NBA and they clearly have NBA talent. That much still pops off the page even with the difficulty in evaluating the level of the league they are playing in.
A lot of people have Amen Thompson rated above his brother (I lean the other way because Ausar Thompson looks to have a bit more readymade skill as a shooter rather than just as a pure athlete). There is good reason for that. Amen Thompson is a blinding athlete who can get to the basket at will.
We will see if that translates to the next level. But pairing him with another strong runner and scorer in Tyrese Haliburton with a great screener like Myles Turner could really set him up for success.
player. 142. . F. Washington Wizards. Taylor Hendricks. 8
The Washington Wizards are in a moment of transition. They have just fired their general manager and are looking for new basketball leadership. Kyle Kuzma is about to become a free agent after a stellar season. They put some things together with the tandem of Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis. But Beal’s future is always in flux.
So what is Washington going to do?
That is one of the big questions of this offseason and perhaps on draft night. For now, thinking they stand still, adding some versatility seems to be in order.
Being able to mix and match players and play truly amorphously — especially so they can keep Porzingis around the basket to protect the rim.
Nobody probably does that as well as UCF’s Taylor Hendricks in this group of players.
Hendricks is a line-drive attacker, but he does well working the dunker spot to finish over defenders and he can step out and hit from the outside. He is also a very good shot blocker for his size, exhibiting good timing and athleticism to reach shots.
Hendricks still has tremendous upside to develop. Some NBA team is going to find a way to make him fit and make UCF fans proud.
player. 118. . G. Utah Jazz. Anthony Black. 9
Both guards at Arkansas — Anthony Black and Nick Smith Jr. — failed to live up to expectations for their season. But both are still clearly talented enough to make the NBA. And both can contribute to this league.
Black had the better season of the two. He is an ace defender and really athletic on the wing to get after his matchup.
Black’s biggest knock is his poor shooting. He was a low-30s 3-point shooter and shot only slightly better than 70 percent from the foul line. That is one of the reasons a player with his natural attributes and defensive ability is not likely to go higher.
. PF. Dallas Mavericks. Jarace Walker. 10. player. 79
The Dallas Mavericks are going to need a lot to get back to their peak and return to the Western Conference Finals contention. The way their season fell apart is something that is going to be written about and dissected all offseason.
They still have Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. And that is going to be enough to keep them in contention. They are only a few moves away.
So one thing they can do is fill a need with a very NBA-ready role player in Houston forward Jarace Walker.
Walker has started getting some comparisons as this draft’s Draymond Green. He is a bit undersized for a power forward, but he makes up for it with his defensive smarts. Walker will be able to fill in gaps and get to the basket while also being a threat as an extra screener.
For a team like the Mavericks, that is exactly what they need.