Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft 2.3: Resetting the balance
2023 Orlando Magic Daily Mock Draft 2.3
The Top Picks
. C. San Antonio Spurs. Victor Wembanyama. 1. player. 29
Victor Wembanyama continues to impress as he leads Mets 92 through the Ligue A playoffs. They are in the semifinals right now and he is averaging 18.2 points per game, 10.7 rebounds per game and 2.2 blocks per game. His team is up 2-1 in their semifinal series with LDLC Asvel after sweeping Cholet in the first round.
Wembanyama is that guy and a dynamic big man — the true definition of a unicorn. There is no debate about the first pick and there is little that will change this.
Especially after watching what Nikola Jokic has done, versatile and playmaking big men are more valuable than ever.
170. . G. Charlotte Hornets. Scoot Henderson. 2. player
In my original mock draft, I had Brandon Miller as this second pick because of his fit around the Charlotte Hornets’ current core of LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward.
The Hornets are a not a team that is so far out of the postseason and so a move for fit made some sense — especially since so much of last season was about LaMelo Ball’s injury and the rightful absence of Miles Bridges from the lineup.
But even I acknowledged that Henderson is the likely pick. And while I have fit concerns with two guards who are spotty outside shooters. The talent from Henderson is undeniable.
Having two big playmakers at guard is something the Hornets should not be afraid of at this point. Especially with the calls for versatility in this league. Henderson is capable of creating his shot off the dribble. And his growth potential is something the Hornets probably cannot pass up this high in the draft.
PF. Portland Trail Blazers. Brandon Miller. 3. player. 34.
The Portland Trail Blazers are probably the only team this high in the draft who are thinking about drafting for need over everything else considering the urgency they have to be competitive with Damian Lillard on the roster. The Blazers, in other words, are not looking to rebuild and be back in this position.
Brandon Miller is their absolute ideal prospect to take. He has skills that will fit in the roster as currently constructed. He can spread the floor as a 3-point shooter and he can grow into a better defender. He also has the ability to be a higher-level player and improve as he gains experience.
There are a lot of teams that talk about running on two tracks with young players capable of replacing older ones. The Blazers may still need a bit more to get a seamless handoff, but having Brandon Miller and Anfernee Simons as a foundation for the post-Damian Lillard era will be a big boost for this Blazers franchise.
169. . G. Houston Rockets. Amen Thompson. 4. player
Amen Thompson is still a player everyone is trying to get a handle on. But his talent is still undeniable even within the context of playing in OTE last year. Thompson does pop off the page and he looks like he has all the skills needed to succeed at the NBA level once he gets up to speed.
Thompson’s talent stands out. He is an aggressive driver who can finish through contact and with athleticism. He is a great playmaker, especially in transition and can play at speed. Yes, his jumper needs lots of work. But the rest of the skills are there for him. Again, assuming it can scale up.
The Houston Rockets will likely have one more trip to the deep Lottery, but they need natural point guards and playmakers to get the most of their young players. A group of Amen Thompson, Jalen Green and Jabari Smith is a dangerous young core.
And that does not even get to the possibility that they could sign James Harden in free agency.
5. player. 64. . G/F. Detroit Pistons. Ausar Thompson
The Orlando Magic are probably going to be watching what the Detroit Pistons do most closely. Because their last bite at the apple might depend on what the Pistons do in picking between Ausar Thompson, Cam Whitmore and Jarace Walker.
The Pistons still need top-end talent. They have two strong guards in Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey after their solid rookie seasons (Cunningham missed most of last season). And so while the fit would suggest they go for a more proven shooter and driver in Whitmore, the talent says they should take Thompson.
Ausar Thompson is a dynamic driver and defender. While he still has a lot of rough edges to pare down with his game, particularly on offense, the upside with him is as a much more dynamic scorer and attacker should be where teams head.
At the very least, Thompson projects as a solid defender that will add something important to this Pistons team.