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Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: The Questions the draft poses

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 8, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Cam Whitmore (22) controls the ball against Georgetown Hoyas guard Jay Heath (5) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Cam Whitmore (22) controls the ball against Georgetown Hoyas guard Jay Heath (5) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jarace Walker, Houston Cougars
Jarace Walker is an energy big who defends at a high level entering the NBA Draft. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

Orlando Magic Daily 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

The Other Options

PF. Indiana Pacers. Jarace Walker. 7. player. 100.

Question: Is depth all the Indiana Pacers need?

The Indiana Pacers are a team that is on a similar timeline as the Orlando Magic. They are knocking on the door of the playoffs with a group of mostly homegrown players with a solid coach who gets everyone pulling in the right direction.

If not for Tyrese Haliburton’s injury, the Pacers might have made the playoffs. So this is a team that needs to shore up their depth as much as anything else.

So the question for the Pacers is about how to build the right amount of depth and build the group they have. So which need and which depth does the team fill here?

They certainly could use some frontcourt depth and Jarace Walker fits in. Walker makes everything easier for those around him. And with Myles Turner’s ability to work from the perimeter, that should ease the transition for Jarace Walker and give them some solid interior defense to work with their wings.

The important thing for the Pacers is they have options.

142. . G/F. Washington Wizards. Cam Whitmore. 8. player

Question: Where are the Wizards restarting?

The Washington Wizards have made the early headlines in this offseason in trading Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns. They got Chris Paul in the deal, but it feels fairly certain he will not suit up for them. Then came news that Kyle Kuzma will opt out of his contract. And Kristaps Porzingis may also be on his way out via trade instead of opting into his year.

The Wizards seem set for a complete rebuild. So where does the team restart?

Looking at the options, Washington certainly should hope that all the latest mock drafts that have Cam Whitmore falling to the back end of the top 10 are true. There are not a lot of players who conventionally look like centerpiece figures.

Whitmore does though. He is athletic, strong and big and he can get into the lane while still hitting from the outside. If there is a player with star upside remaining, it is Whitmore. And that is at least a place to start for this new era in Wizards basketball.

Look for the eighth pick and Washington to be a target for trades throughout the draft as the team decides which direction it will go.